LAS VEGAS — The Phoenix Mercury wrap up their three-game road trip Thursday night against the Las Vegas Aces, looking to bounce back from last week’s loss and stay in the playoff hunt.
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Aug 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives to the basket against Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) and forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Phoenix comes off a comeback win against the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday, 98-91, and is riding momentum into Sin City. The Mercury and the Aces play their second game in a week and their last game this season, with Phoenix hoping for a different outcome against Las Vegas from their previous encounter.
The Aces took an 86-83 win against the Mercury in a late-quarter thriller on Aug. 15 in Phoenix. The Mercury are 1-2 against the Aces and hope to even the season series as they continue to monitor the standings.
Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) scores on an offensive rebound against Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) during a game at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on Aug. 15, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“I think early in the season, you don’t think about the standings too much,” Phoenix guard Kahleah Copper said after Tuesday’s win, according to the team’s post-game recording. “… But, you understand how much more important it is in the second half.”
Phoenix and Las Vegas are separated by win percentage in the standings, in fourth and fifth place, respectively. With only nine games left in the regular season, every game is critical for both teams.
Aug 15, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) drives on Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
“You start to think about tiebreakers, you start to think about where you could finish,” said Kahleah. “I think that we’re putting a little emphasis on that and understanding what’s important. So, we watched the film after the Vegas game. So we’re just gonna watch the film again and just approach it how we should. And go out there and try to get a win.”
The Mercury look to put behind last week’s heartbreaking loss against the Aces and leave Las Vegas with a crucial win with playoff positioning on the line.
You can’t guard chemistry.@StateFarm | Assist of the Week pic.twitter.com/icWhbI3mtW
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 20, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces play on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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