LAS VEGAS — Jovana Nogic looked anything but overwhelmed in her WNBA debut, as the Phoenix Mercury dominated the Las Vegas Aces in a 99-66 win to take Game 1 of the season.
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May 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) drives against Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Serbian forward stepped into the club’s starting lineup Saturday afternoon and immediately gave them another reason to believe its international pipeline and depth could become one of the team’s strengths this season.
While the W may be new to her, Nogic has been making a name for herself abroad. She most recently played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, where she averaged 10.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. It didn’t take her long to bring that talent into Saturday’s game against the reigning champions.
Jovana Nogic’s 19 points in the 1st half is the most in a player’s career debut in a 1st half in WNBA history 🔥
It’s the 2nd most in any half, trailing only Candace Parker’s 21 points in the 2nd half in 2008 💪 pic.twitter.com/m6El728Mys
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) May 9, 2026
Alongside veterans Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Natasha Mack and DeWanna Bonner, Nogic played like a poised pro rather than a rookie making her league debut. She spaced the floor, defended aggressively and delivered timely scoring, finishing with 19 points while shooting 4-for-5 from beyond the arc in a standout debut that showed both her readiness and her fit within Phoenix’s system.
It was also a night that highlighted more than just a strong individual performance, offering an early look at how the Mercury may have to lean on depth this season.
May 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) scores against the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Mercury, much like last year, start the season without a few of their top players, including Sami Whitcomb, Monique Akoa-Makani and Valériane Ayayi. That has forced head coach Nate Tibbetts to lean on his bench and rely on rookies to help replace that production. Against the Aces, Nogic delivered.
“I think this is a player that hasn’t come over, because maybe it wasn’t worth it, right?” Tibbetts said postgame to PHNX Mercury’s Stephen PridGeon-Garner. “A lot of these European players… [Nogic]’s been someone that our front office has talked about the last couple of years… She had an awesome start, I’m really happy for her.”
May 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) dribbles against the Las Vegas Aces in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Rather than forcing offense, Nogic played within the flow of the game and gave Phoenix another reliable option around its veteran core. With Thomas as the playmaker, Copper attacking defenses, and Bonner and Mack anchoring both ends of the floor, Nogic’s shooting and composure added another dimension to the lineup.
Saturday was the club’s first win, but it also offered a preview of what’s to come this season. The Mercury may have uncovered another major contributor capable of helping them contend all season long.
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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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