Phoenix Mercury Beat Las Vegas Aces 99-66 To Open WNBA Season

The new WNBA season opened with one-sided wins and late drama, as the Phoenix Mercury crushed the Las Vegas Aces 99-66, the Dallas Wings edged the Indiana Fever 107-104, and the Chicago Sky pulled away from the Portland Fire 98-83 in the expansion team’s long-awaited return to league action.

Phoenix’s dominant performance in Las Vegas came on the same night the Aces received championship rings, limiting the celebrations to the pregame ceremony. The result also gave the Mercury some payback after being swept by Las Vegas in last season’s WNBA Finals, and it marked Phoenix’s biggest win since a 95-60 victory over Indiana on Aug. 7.

Alyssa Thomas led Phoenix with 20 points as the Mercury handed the Aces their heaviest defeat since a 111-58 loss to Minnesota on Aug. 3. Las Vegas had responded to that setback by closing the previous regular season with 16 straight wins, but this time the defending champions struggled to match Phoenix’s energy at both ends.

Rookie guard Jovana Nogic gave Phoenix early momentum, hitting all 19 of Nogic’s points before half-time after recent club experience in Russia and continued duties with the Serbian national team. Natasha Mack added 10 points and 15 rebounds, and Phoenix finished with six players in double figures, underlining the depth that overwhelmed the Aces across four quarters.

Las Vegas still had key contributions despite the margin. Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson scored 19 points, Jackie Young finished with 12, and NaLyssa Smith added 11. The defeat, however, turned a night that began with a ring ceremony into a difficult reminder that the WNBA title defence will not come easily for the champions.

The Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever produced the tightest WNBA contest of the night, with Dallas holding on 107-104 as No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd made a quiet professional debut. Paige Bueckers and Odyssey Sims each scored 20 points, combining efficient shooting with composure to steer a new-look Wings roster through several Indiana rallies.

Bueckers, last season’s Rookie of the Year, went 8-of-10 from the field, while Sims hit 8-of-11 in an offence that started fast. Dallas knocked down 10 three-pointers before half-time and shot close to 60 percent overall, building a 60-51 lead at the break that forced the Fever to chase throughout the second half.

Indiana’s response came in waves, and the Fever moved in front early in the fourth quarter behind Kelsey Mitchell’s team-high 30 points. Dallas then settled, making 10 of 14 shots in the final period to regain control. Jessica Shepard, signed as a free agent in the offseason, nearly posted a triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Fudd’s first WNBA appearance lasted more than 17 minutes, during which Fudd contributed three points, one rebound and one steal as Dallas staff eased the guard into rotation minutes. Caitlin Clark added 20 points and seven assists for Indiana, and Aliyah Boston scored 23, giving the Fever three players with at least 20 points in the narrow loss.

WNBA: Chicago Sky rally past Portland Fire in expansion opener

The Portland Fire’s return to the WNBA after 24 years drew an enthusiastic crowd to Moda Center, but the Chicago Sky reshaped the night with a strong finish to claim a 98-83 victory. The Fire trailed by 17 in the first half, fought back to level the game, then faded again as Chicago’s experience and size showed late.

Kamilla Cardoso set the tone inside for the Sky, collecting 22 points and 14 rebounds in a double-double that anchored Chicago at both ends. Skylar Diggins added 21 points and 11 rebounds as Chicago, which retained only four players from last season’s 10-24 roster, showed early signs of cohesion after significant changes during the offseason.

Portland’s supporters celebrated the franchise’s rebirth despite the result, and the Fire’s comeback briefly shifted momentum. The team erased the large deficit and tied the score at 70 when Bridget Carleton hit a three-pointer with 8:39 remaining. Chicago responded immediately, tightening defence and executing in half-court sets to regain command down the stretch.

Carla Leite scored 18 points to lead the Fire, providing a bright spot for the expansion side and giving fans a glimpse of a potential future building block. Chicago’s victory, combined with Phoenix’s statement win and Dallas’s high-scoring thriller, offered an early snapshot of balance across the WNBA as the new campaign began.