Game 1 of the WNBA Finals opened with a battle. The Las Vegas Aces faced West-Coast rivals Phoenix Mercury at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Nevada on Friday night, and the Mercury took the lead early. In Game 1 of the first best-of-seven finals in the league’s history, Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with seven points, including a 3-pointer to secure the lead. However, once Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans came on the court, the game took a turn.
The Aces bench was critical in the Game 1 victory. In the pre-game press conference, head coach Becky Hammon mentioned just as much.
“I think the bench has really been a difference maker,” Hammon told reporters before the game. “You know, we have a top-heavy roster, so to speak. That’s why we were always kind of like the perfect fit for, like, a Candace Parker, for like, Alysha Clark, people who can go 35 minutes if you need them to, but for longevity and where they are in their career, they’re ok at like, 28 minutes, you know, those are really good pieces.”
Hammon predicted correctly; the bench was transformative in Game 1. Kiah Stokes came on the court for only 14 seconds, but her defensive role as the “paint protector” — in the words of in-arena host Chet Buchanan — was critical. Megan Gustafson had a rebound, assist, and field goal to give the Aces two points. Aaliyah Nye was a critical substitute for Chelsea Gray, applying defensive pressure on the Mercury. But no one contributed off the bench quite like Loyd and Evans.
Dana Evans shifted into the gear her team needed
Evans has been a regular recipient of praise from Hammon this season for her consistent work coming off the bench. During the regular season, Evans averaged 6.6 points per game, along with 1.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists. She played a critical role in the 17-game win streak, providing a spark to boost the Aces while letting a starter rest. She even became a starter herself in two games and proved to be a challenge for bigger matchups with her smaller size and quick speed.
“Dana is a little scorer,” Hammon told reporters after the game. “I mean, she is a problem, you saw in the previous series. Indiana [Fever] switched their whole defense. Whenever she came into the game, they jumped into their zone to try and keep her out of that paint.”
During the post season, Evans has played a role in all nine games. In Friday’s game, Evans recorded 21 points, along with two rebounds and three assists. She became the first player in finals history to secure four steals and five 3-pointers in a match. In her fiery performance, Evans also managed to stay free of fouls and turnovers.
“This is what I worked all my life for, to be in this position,” Evans told the media after the game. “And I’m so grateful and blessed to do it besides someone like A’ja [Wilson], Jackie [Young], Chelsea [Gray], I mean, I can go down the list. We have such a talented team, but just more so doing it for each other.”
Evans’ shooting has also been critical for this playoff run. Hammon mentioned that her nickname is “gears,” due to her ability to shift into different positions easily. Her speed, aggressiveness and flexibility guarantee her to remain valuable as the WNBA Finals play on.
Jewell Loyd found her role coming off the bench
One of the newest additions to the Aces put on a vintage show in Game 1. Loyd dropped 18 points, hitting two 3-pointers and eight field goals. Along with her points, the “Gold Mamba,” as she is known, notched four rebounds.
“Jewell, you know, led the league for a couple years in scoring,” Hammon told reporters after the game. “Like, we know what they’re capable of. I thought, you know, I told them both, Jackie and Chelsea, to get those two going early.”
The biggest headline surrounding Loyd this season was her decision to play from the bench. She started the season in the starting lineup but faced shooting struggles. The announcement that she would be trading places with Kierstan Bell in the starting position was surprising to many; however, Loyd stood strong behind her decision. She wanted to do whatever she could to help the team, even if that meant taking a seat herself. Since that decision, Loyd’s shooting has increased, with her average points increasing to 11.2 points per game.
In the playoffs so far, Loyd has averaged 8.4 points per game, higher than her 2024 average of 7.5 with the Seattle Storm. She’s also averaged 3.2 rebounds this playoff run, along with 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game.
Loyd’s 18 point game puts her at 76 points in this playoff run, similar to previous point totals. In 2018, Loyd had 97 points with the Storm, which helped them to win their championship. In 2020, she had 107 playoff points, securing her second championship with the Storm. Friday’s performance was that of the old Loyd, a true vintage “Gold Mamba” showing.
“And also, when it comes to Jewell,” A’ja Wilson told reporters after the game, “this is, this has always been Jewell.”
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals gets underway at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. PST. Expect Evans and Loyd to contribute off the bench once again — they know their roles and they expect it from themselves, too.