With a 91-78 win against the Mercury, the Aces have taken a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals this season. But it isn’t just the Aces’ roster that drove them toward the win—Satou Sabally had a part to play, too. As Noa Dalzell put it best, “She was one of nine to start… taking bad shots, and that’s been the knock on her.” Despite finishing with 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting, her poor shot selection hurt Phoenix’s rhythm. But it looks like Game 3 could be even worse.

According to the latest locker room update, Sabally’s been ruled out for Game 3. She got injured in Game 2 at 3:37 in the fourth quarter after a collision with A’ja Wilson. She reportedly had her ankle stepped on, but, staying strong, she remained on the court to shoot two free throws before being taken out. After that, she didn’t return to play and was spotted limping toward the bench. But while she’s out, she’s still got her teammates’ backs.

When asked about the upcoming game, she had a vital locker room message to give: “Just stay motivated, play up, and I guess the essential point was let’s just go win and get these two games over with,” she shared in a pregame interview. And yes, it all makes sense. The Mercury have been considered underdogs but defeated two prominent opponents to book their berth in the Finals.

First, they knocked off the defending champions, the Phoenix Mercury, and then the Minnesota Lynx, the top contender throughout the year. But they haven’t been able to capitalize on their assets in the Finals against the Aces. They lost to Becky Hammon’s zone defense in Game 1, and then the Aces’ big three made it difficult for them to survive on the court.

Consider this: A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray combined for 60 of the team’s 91 points. The chemistry, tight defense, and smooth transitions all added to it. But don’t count the Mercury out just yet. If the team leader’s words were any hint, they will make a comeback soon.

Down 2-0, they need two wins to survive and four to win it all—and yes, they can still do it. Especially the team’s big three, led by Alyssa Thomas, former Finals MVP, and they’ve done it before, too. The trio combined for 65 points on 23-of-43 shooting during Game 3’s 84-76 win.

Their offensive production, defense, and physicality are enough to outplay anyone. Though they’ve lost one of their most important players, they still have a bench to rely on.

It’s the same bench that entered the postseason as the highest-scoring unit. And while they’ve been outscored in the last two games, the home game might be different—especially since Sabally stepped up to deliver an urgent message.

It isn’t the first time Sabally has taken on the leadership role.

She’s been doing it throughout the season. While she came in as the youngest member of Mercury’s new star trio, the expectations were high—and she delivered. Through the season’s first quarter, she played without several other starters and led the Mercury to a 7-4 start.

She averaged 20.5 points, fifth across the league in those 11 games. She scored over 20 points seven times, and her usage rate of 32.9% was the highest in the league. “

We’re asking her to do more,” head coach Nate Tibbetts shared after the Mercury’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks on June 1. “It’s impressive. Especially with AT and Kah here, she was probably thinking that she was going to have to play one way, and now she’s having to do more, which is a great experience for her.”

And yes, with her fellow players injured, she took the reins and jolted the Mercury to a respectable start. Arguably, she’s the most crucial player for the Mercury because of her versatility.

But her long list of skills doesn’t end there. She has been one of the only veteran voices on the floor for much of the season. She was the one who stepped up and guided young players with her words and play when they were thrust into larger roles in the first quarter of the season.

“She’s a great leader,” Lexi Held shared after the June 5 win over the Golden State Valkyries. “You can see on the court, she really brings us together. She’s somebody that you want on your side, especially when things aren’t going our way. But she’s someone that will always bring you together, lift you up, and it’s great playing with her.”

So yes, being a locker room voice is nothing new for Sabally. But the only thing that remains to be seen is how the team will get a win for her while she’s out for Game 3.