Mercury receive big boost ahead of WNBA Finals Game 3 vs. Aces originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Phoenix Mercury ended Game 2 of the WNBA Finals with mounting problems. The elite defense they had flashed in the first two rounds of the playoffs had been decimated by A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young; their reliable bench scoring had disappeared; and the Las Vegas Aces, after rallying to win Game 1, built a 2-0 lead after winning 91-78 on Sunday afternoon.

The Mercury fostered further concern over All-Star forward Satou Sabally, who had to leave late on Game 2 after stepping on Wilson’s foot. But fortunately for Phoenix, Sabally has dismissed concerns over a possible right ankle injury; she worked out normally on Tuesday, with no brace, as the Mercury prepare to host their first WNBA Finals game in four years on Wednesday night.

MORE: The Mercury need this star to step up against the Aces in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals

Sabally scored 22 points in the Game 2 loss, including 10 in the fourth quarter. The Mercury hope that hot final frame translates to Game 3 at Mortgage Matchup Center, which last hosted a WNBA Finals game on Oct. 13, 2021.

Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally said her foot/ankle is feeling “good.”#WNBAhttps://t.co/OWIaBst7Xqpic.twitter.com/sYnQGe0O1K

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) October 7, 2025

So far, the Aces have had all the answers for the Mercury’s physical defense, the tone of which is set by the team’s All-Star point forward Alyssa Thomas. Las Vegas’ zone defense slowed down Phoenix dramatically after a strong start to Game 1, and the Mercury shot only 38 percent in the first half of Game 2 while bench contributors DeWanna Bonner (four points in Game 2) and Sami Whitcomb (zero points) struggled to find their rhythm.

The Mercury are 3-1 at home this postseason; the Aces are just 1-2 on the road. That trend will have to continue if Phoenix is to get back into this series — and a healthy Sabally will be vital to that effort.

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