After 72 hours since WNBA Semifinals action on Tuesday night, Game 3s are on the docket tonight in the newly minted best-of-five series. To say the new format has been phenomenal would be a grave misunderstatement. In Game 1, the Indiana Fever shocked the sporting world with a victory in Las Vegas over the Aces. The Phoenix Mercury survived one of the most thrilling playoff games in recent memory by edging the Minnesota lynx in overtime, 89-83. With both sides of the bracket even set at a game apiece, I took a look at all four teams and picked winners to take leads in their respective series.
BIG SHOT 🗣️
Kahleah Copper’s three puts Phoenix up 6 with 1:47 to go
PHX–MIN | ESPN | WNBA Playoffs | @Google pic.twitter.com/HFkVftyRbr
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 24, 2025
All appeared to be said and done in Minneapolis as the Lynx were up by as much as 20 over the Mercury with under six minutes left in the third quarter of Game 2. From that point on, Phoenix ignited a 15-3 run heading into the final frame, eventually beating Minnesota in overtime. It was the third-largest comeback in WNBA playoff history.
With a 1-1 slate as the series shifts to PHX Arena in Phoenix in the new 2-2-1 format, the Mercury have a chance to hand the Lynx a second straight loss, which has only happened once dating back to the regular season. This team was assembled for moments like these in the playoffs, and for that to happen, these two factors are paramount.
1.) Kahleah Copper’s production: In Phoenix’s Game 2 win, star wing Kahleah Copper totaled eight points and three assists in 33 minutes. She went scoreless in the second half, and her lone shot attempt came in the third quarter. The four-time All-Star connected on a timely three-pointer in overtime that extended the Mercury’s lead to six with 1:47 left in the game. Taking a one-game lead over Minnesota with the chance to close out last year’s Finals runner-up squad at home would send a message to the rest of the league that this team is built to last. Copper has to produce for Phoenix to accomplish this. In five games, Copper is averaging 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and one assist, while shooting 47.8 percent on two-pointers and 27.3 percent from three-point range. If there is one thing Copper is known for throughout her career, bouncing back explosively is one of them.
2.) Bench options: One of the key reasons that fueled the Mercury’s comeback win was its bench. Phoenix’s reserves outscored Minnesota’s bench 25-3 on Tuesday. Backup guard Sami Whitcomb led the second unit with 13 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Her most crucial contribution was a timely three-pointer that tied the game at 79 to send it to overtime. Shooters never quit, and Whitcomb is proof because she missed the first attempt but nailed the second after a clear look off a sidestep. Backup wing Kathryn Westbeld added eight points, four rebounds, and four steals in 14 minutes. She led the team with a +15 and gave the Mercury a lift with her shotmaking and superb defense. There was not a passing lane or ball handler that Westbeld did not hesitate to command. Three-time Sixth Player of the Year recipient DeWanna Bonner finished with four points, three rebounds, and a steal in 25 minutes. The Lynx are without two-way star DiJonai Carrington, who will miss the rest of the playoffs with a left foot injury.
📍 Indy#RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/E0JxU6XM0V
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 25, 2025
The Fever beat the Aces in Game 1 at Michelob Ultra Arena, and it was not a close matchup, per se. Indiana led Las Vegas for over 35 minutes in what was genuinely a mind-blowing performance from both teams. Fever All-Star Kelsey Mitchell poured in a playoff-career high 34 points, which led all scorers. In Las Vegas’ bounceback win in Game 2, Mitchell was limited to 13 points on 4-for-14 shooting. After one of her worst playoff performances of her career, 2025 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson recorded one of her better ones with 25 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks.
After two games, the series moves from out west to the Midwest in Indianapolis. Crowds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse have not been an easy place for opposing teams over the last several seasons, to say the least. With a dynamic win in Game 2, the Aces appeared to be poised to take a 2-1 lead tonight For that to happen, there are two monumental keys needed to dos so.
1.) Las Vegas’ new dynamic duo: The trade that brought NaLyssa Smith to the Aces was a match made in heaven for a plethora of reasons. It is no secret that Las Vegas has longed for consistent offensive production or at least the threat to create in the post next to A’ja Wilson. Smith has been that and more for a team that sorely needed her abilities. Game 1 was a tough outing for any Ace not named Wilson, Chelsea Gray, or Jackie Young. Smith corrected that with 18 points on 77.8 percent shooting and seven rebounds. In Game 1, the Fever muffled most of Las Vegas’ activity in halfcourt sets, where Smith thrives off the ball or when calling for it. Her ability to take a defender off the dribble as a 6’4 forward presents issues galore when defending the Aces straight up. With so much attention paid to Wilson (and rightfully so), forgetting about Smith only empowers both players.
2.) Bench depth: A recurring theme through the first two games of the WNBA Semifinals is the importance of quality depth on the bench. The Mercury’s bench outscored the Lynx’s reserves 24-6, giving way to a vital win. This was one of most visible factors that swung the pendulum in Las Vegas’ direction as well. A 22-6 advantage in bench scoring empowered the Aces to do what they do best, which is zig-zagging up and down the court in an open, freeing style where anyone can make a play in an instant. That is exactly what backup point guard Dana Evans did with 10 points on 5-for-9 shooting and three assitsts with no turnovers. Jewell Loyd added 10 points and four reboumds. Her defense on Indiana’s assortment of guards has loomed in the shadows when analyzing Las Vegas’ defensive gameplan. According to The Next’s injury database, the Fever faced the third-most injuries this season (17). Aerual Powers, Odyssey Sims, and Shey Peddy were all signed due to injuries and have done their best as a collective to lift Indiana, but the magic runs out at some point. Game 3 will prove whether it does tonight.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
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