The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Sport 1 of the WNBA Finals behind a dominant bench efficiency Friday night time. Dana Evans scored 21 factors and Jewell Loyd added 18 because the Aces’ reserves outscored Phoenix’s bench 41-16.
Evans and Loyd turned the fifth duo in WNBA Finals historical past to every rating at the least 15 factors off the bench in the identical recreation. Las Vegas turned solely the second group in Finals historical past to win with two of its high three scorers coming from reserve roles.
The bench manufacturing proved essential as starters Jackie Younger and Chelsea Grey struggled offensively. Younger completed with 10 factors on 3-for-13 capturing whereas Grey managed simply 8 factors on 2-for-7 capturing.
Common season MVP A’ja Wilson posted 21 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and nil turnovers regardless of capturing 7-for-16 from the sector. The efficiency marked the primary 20-10-5-0 stat line in WNBA Finals historical past.
“We now have weapons. We need to use all of them as a result of we’re tougher to protect that method,” Aces coach Becky Hammon stated. “Our bench was large.”
Evans tied Riquna Williams’ 2019 file with 5 3-pointers off the bench in a Finals recreation. She turned the third reserve to steer or co-lead a Finals recreation in scoring.
“Dana’s our battery,” Wilson stated. “She makes us play at a special tempo. I informed her we go as she goes.”
Las Vegas switched to zone protection halfway by means of the third quarter, holding Phoenix to 1-for-8 capturing within the fourth interval. The Mercury shot 52% from the ground by means of three quarters earlier than the defensive adjustment.
Phoenix missed a crucial alternative when Alyssa Thomas failed on two potential game-tying free throws with 24.6 seconds remaining. The missed makes an attempt marked the primary time in WNBA historical past a participant missed two potential score-tying free throws within the last two minutes of a playoff recreation, per Elias Sports activities Bureau.
The Mercury fell to 0-3 in Sport 1s this postseason however stay 5-0 in all different playoff video games.
