The Phoenix Mercury sent a thunderous message to the rest of the WNBA on opening night, walking into Las Vegas and dismantling the defending champion Aces 99-66 in one of the most stunning season-opening performances in recent league history.

What was expected to be a celebratory night for the Aces quickly turned into a nightmare as Phoenix dominated from the opening tip, silencing the Las Vegas crowd and spoiling the festivities surrounding the franchise’s championship celebration weekend.

For a Mercury team looking to prove they belong back among the WNBA elite, this wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

Phoenix Sets the Tone Early
From the opening minutes, Phoenix looked sharper, faster, and more aggressive than Las Vegas. The Mercury attacked the paint, moved the ball crisply, and buried perimeter shots while the Aces struggled to find rhythm offensively.
Phoenix jumped out to a 27-21 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.

The turning point came in the second quarter when the Mercury exploded on a 14-2 run that completely flipped the momentum of the game. Las Vegas struggled with turnovers and missed shots while Phoenix capitalized in transition and continued to stretch the lead.

By halftime, the Mercury held a commanding 56-35 advantage.

What made the performance even more impressive was the balance Phoenix displayed throughout the roster.

Alyssa Thomas Leads the Charge
​Veteran star Alyssa Thomas controlled the pace of the game from start to finish. Thomas finished with:

She attacked the basket relentlessly while also creating open opportunities for teammates. Her leadership and composure stood out throughout the game, especially during Phoenix’s second-quarter surge.

Whenever Las Vegas attempted to build momentum, Thomas answered.

Jovana Nogić Ignites the Offense
One of the biggest surprises of the night was the explosive scoring performance from Jovana Nogić.

Nogić poured in 19 points, including four three-pointers, with all 19 coming in the first half. Her perimeter shooting stretched the Aces defense and opened driving lanes for Phoenix’s guards and forwards.

Every time Vegas attempted to tighten the gap, Nogić delivered another momentum-killing shot.

Phoenix Dominates the Glass
​The Mercury also controlled the rebounding battle, led by Natasha Mack, who delivered a monster performance inside:

Phoenix consistently earned second-chance opportunities while limiting Las Vegas to one shot possessions.

That physical dominance inside became a major factor as the game wore on and the Aces offense completely unraveled.

Las Vegas Never Found an Answer
The Aces entered the season with championship expectations once again, but opening night exposed several issues.

​Las Vegas struggled offensively all night:

Despite solid individual performances from a few stars, the Aces never found consistency.

​Las Vegas Top Performers

he normally explosive Vegas offense looked out of sync for most of the night, and Phoenix’s defensive pressure forced difficult shots and rushed possessions.

Revenge for Phoenix
This game carried extra emotion for the Mercury after being swept by Las Vegas in the 2025 WNBA Finals.

Opening the 2026 season with a dominant road win against the defending champions served as the perfect response.
Instead of easing into the season, Phoenix made it clear they intend to compete for a title immediately.

The Mercury’s combination of veteran leadership, defensive intensity, rebounding, and perimeter shooting looked dangerous throughout the game.

A Statement to the Entire WNBA
Opening night overreactions are common in sports, but this performance felt different.

Phoenix didn’t simply sneak out a close win.

They completely controlled the game from beginning to end against one of the league’s most talented teams on their home floor.

Winning by 33 points against the defending champions immediately changes the conversation surrounding the Mercury entering the 2026 WNBA season.

If this performance is any indication, Phoenix may have established themselves as one of the biggest threats to Las Vegas’ championship reign.

​And they did it on the brightest stage possible.

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