PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces will make WNBA history this weekend as the first teams to play in a best-of-seven format in the Finals.
Sep 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) celebrates after a timeout called by the New York Liberty during game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The teams will meet in a highly anticipated matchup featuring some of the league’s top talent. The change from the previous best-of-five format marks a major milestone in the league’s continued growth and evolution.
The Finals now mirror championship formats used in other major sports leagues, including MLB, the NBA and the NHL.
“Typically, when there’s only two teams left, there’s always storylines,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbets said on Wednesday, according to Desert Wave Media. “They’re not talking about the other games… I’ve loved our day-to-day approach. We haven’t gotten too high and gotten too low. This is a historic series for our team. This is the first seven-game series in W history. That’s pretty special.”
Aug 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts to a play against the New York Liberty during the third quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Aces are making their third Finals appearance in four years and will look to add a third championship, led by reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. The Mercury, led by the Big Three of Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, return to the Finals for the first time since 2021 and seek their fourth WNBA championship.
With more games against each other, both teams will need to adapt quickly as the opposition begins to recognize habits and game plans. However, Tibbetts believes that it only highlights which team is truly the best.
“I think in a seven-game series, you probably get annoyed with the other teams even more,” Tibbetts said. “You’re playing them more and they know your stuff better than you know it yourself. The cool thing about the seven-game series is, typically, the best team wins.”
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
The first game of the Finals is set for Friday night in Las Vegas. The series will alternate between the home courts of the higher-seeded Aces and the Mercury in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
As the WNBA enters a new era with its first seven-game Finals, the stage is set between two teams that have persevered in their respective paths for an opportunity at a championship.
The matchup for the WNBA Finals is set. Get your tickets to Games 3 & 4 before it’s too late!
🎟️ https://t.co/qTS4NWSV5l pic.twitter.com/q4SL4SVjZm
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) October 1, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces play Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
