Even after the Las Vegas Aces took Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, there were no extravagant celebrations. The defending champions knew the mission wasn’t complete and that there was still a defensive weakness to fix. During the postgame presser, head coach Becky Hammon made a bold yet confident prediction: “I predict our defense will be better.” And in Game 2, her words proved almost prophetic. Following the win, A’ja Wilson revealed how the team executed those defensive adjustments to perfection.

Talking to ESPN’s sideline reporter, Brooke Weisbrod, A’ja Wilson gave the details of the demands Becky Hammon had for their defense in this vital Game 2. Answering Brooke’s question about the defensive plan, A’ja said, “We just slowed it down.”

The 4-time MVP then continued with what helped them after the Game 1 slips in bits and pieces: “We were so up in arms by Game one that we just kind of slowed everything down and was patient for one another on both sides of basketball, particularly on the defensive side, and we had that trust. We know that we’re going to need multiple layers in order for us to be successful, and I think you saw that.” 

Comparing the two games, we can easily see how much emphasis the Las Vegas Aces put on their defense. They limited the Phoenix Mercury to just 40.8% shooting from the floor, compared to game 1’s 47%. They also doubled their blocks for the game (6 in game 2 and 3 in game 1), with Chelsea Gray coming up clutch with three blocks. But the main difference was in their 3-point defense.

In Game 1, the Phoenix Mercury shot 38.9% from beyond the arc (14-36). However, in game 2, that percentage dropped massively to just 17.9% (5-28). Sure, we can just attribute that to the Mercury players failing to make shots, but it was much bigger than that. Unlike Game 1, the Aces were intent on switching every coverage.

Just like the second half of Game 1, they decided to incorporate more zone coverages and traps. All these adjustments disrupted the Phoenix Mercury’s flow, as, apart from Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally, no player was able to get a strong foothold in the game. Their tenacious team defense limited Mercury’s best player, Alyssa Thomas, to just 10 points, even worse than her 15 points in Game 1.

Alyssa was 5-9 in shooting in Game 2 and 7-10 in Game 1, but it wasn’t just the Aces’ defense that came to the party. After a sluggish offensive game in Game 1, the Las Vegas Aces’ offense was in full flow as they held their home court advantage.

A’ja Wilson breaks multiple records in Game 2 win

A’ja Wilson’s 2025 WNBA season has been a story of broken records. While the biggest one is certainly becoming the first-ever 4-time MVP, last night also included several broken records that establish her as one of the GOATs of the league. With her 28 points and 14 rebounds double-double, A’ja Wilson totaled 257 points in the 2025 WNBA playoffs. This tally of points is the second most in a single postseason history of the WNBA. But that wasn’t all.

With her 20-point quarter, A’ja Wilson had her 29th such playoff game. She is now tied with Breanna Stewart for the second all-time in the standings. She also extended her own record of being the only player with 20-point, 10-rebound games in consecutive WNBA Finals games. Her tandem with Jackie Young was also a record-setting one. Both players combined for 60 points. This is the second-most by a duo in finals behind just Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd’s 65-point outing with the Seattle Storm in 2020.

With the Aces up 2-0 and in full flow, both offensively and defensively, things are looking gloomy for the Phoenix Mercury. Now that the series is heading to their home, it is important that they can find some momentum and at least force a Game 5. The task is not going to be easy. Alyssa Thomas is dealing with an issue in her left hand, but in her absence or limited time, others need to rise. Will they be able to defend their home court? We’ll find out in the next few days, but our prediction says the Aces will take it easy in Game 3, too, unless Phoenix has some plans in place.