Jackie Young Ignites Aces’ Explosive Game Two Win, Las Vegas Moves Closer To WNBA Championship Glory

 

A strong second quarter in Game Two of the WNBA finals by the Las Vegas Aces may be the key to a championship. The story of the night was the Aces’ star power that took control in quarter two and never looked back.  The  “Big Three” of Jackie Young, A’ja Wilson, and Chelsea Gray took center stage.  Young delivered a historic performance, while Wilson asserted her MVP credentials, and Gray masterfully orchestrated the offense. Their combined effort proved too much for a resilient but ultimately outmatched Mercury squad.

Now, with the series shifting to Phoenix, the Mercury face a monumental task. They must win four of the next five games against a team that looks every bit the part of a dynasty. As the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals unfold, the pressure mounts on Phoenix to protect its home court and find a way to slow down the relentless Aces.

Key Takeaways from the Aces Win

Seven Key Takeaways from the Aces’ win: 

• Young was simply unstoppable, erupting for a career-high 32 points. Her third quarter was one for the history books, as she poured in a WNBA Finals record 21 points, single-handedly crushing any hope of a Mercury comeback. Aces head coach Becky Hammon noted the dramatic turnaround from Game 1, saying Young had “no legs” in the opener but “apparently, she went and found some legs because she was cooking today.”
• Reigning Aces MVP Wilson delivered another masterful performance, posting a powerful double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds. She was the anchor for the Aces, scoring 20 of her points in the first half to keep her team in control when the game was tight. Her dominance on both ends of the floor solidified why she is the first four-time MVP in league history.
• Las Vegas Point guard Chelsea Gray continued her exceptional play, recording her second consecutive double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. With this performance, she joined an elite group as only the fifth player in WNBA Finals history to achieve back-to-back games with 10 or more assists. Her court vision and steady hand have been the engine driving the Aces’ high-powered offense.
• A significant concern for Phoenix emerged late in the game when star forward Satou Sabally went down with an apparent ankle injury. Though she briefly returned to shoot a free throw, her mobility was clearly hampered. With the Mercury already facing an uphill battle, any limitation to Sabally could be a devastating blow to their championship aspirations.
• Despite the loss, Sabally remained optimistic about the series shifting to their home court. “The positive today is that we have so many games left to play,” she said after the game. “We lost two, but we’re returning home… I still believe in us.” That unwavering belief will be critical as Phoenix tries to regroup.
• For Phoenix, the offensive struggles were glaring, particularly from beyond the arc. The team shot a dismal 5-for-28 (17.9%) from three-point range. In a series against a team as potent as the Aces, the inability to connect from deep proved costly and prevented the Mercury from keeping pace.
• This series marks the first time the WNBA Finals have been expanded to a best-of-seven format, a change Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said was driven by “the incredible demand for WNBA basketball.” The longer series adds a new layer of strategy and endurance. “We don’t know what a best-of-seven brings, but nothing changes,” said Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. “We still approach it the same way.”

Game Summary by Quarters 

First Quarter 

The Mercury came out firing, jumping to a 7-0 lead and setting a fast pace. Led by Kahleah Copper’s 11 first-quarter points, Phoenix controlled the early action and held a slim 27-24 lead after a high-energy opening frame that saw four ties and four lead changes.

Second Quarter

The second quarter was where the game turned. The Aces’ defense clamped down, holding the Mercury to just 10 points. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson took over on offense, scoring 13 points in the quarter to fuel a 22-10 run. Las Vegas flipped the script and entered halftime with a commanding 46-37 lead.

Third Quarter

Any hope of a Mercury rally was extinguished in the third quarter by Jackie Young’s historic scoring explosion. She poured in 21 points, overwhelming the Phoenix defense with a dazzling array of shots. The Aces outscored the Mercury 30-24 in the period, stretching their lead to an insurmountable 76-61 heading into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter 

With the game well in hand, the Aces cruised through the fourth quarter. They extended their lead to as many as 22 points before both teams emptied their benches in the final minutes. The Aces closed out the game comfortably, securing the 91-78 victory and a formidable 2-0 series lead.

The Series Now Shifts to Downtown Phoenix

The Las Vegas Aces did what they were supposed to do: defend their home court. With dominant performances from their stars, they have taken a firm grip on the WNBA Finals. The combination of their offensive firepower and championship experience makes them a daunting opponent, and they are now just two wins away from cementing their dynasty.

The series now heads to Phoenix, where the Mercury will host Game 3 on Wednesday, October 8. Facing a must-win situation, Phoenix will need to harness the energy of their home crowd and find answers for the Aces’ multi-faceted attack. For Las Vegas, a win on the road would all but seal their third title, while a Mercury victory could breathe new life into a series that is currently tilting heavily in the Aces’ favor.