Against all odds, the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces are the two last-standing teams in the 2025 WNBA Finals. And while one might have envisioned a Minnesota Lynx-Aces showdown, the Mercury (No. 4 seed) have proved their mettle as they breezed past the Lynx and defending champions New York Liberty.
The Aces, of course, have remained the favorites to win ever since the 2025 campaign began. The A’ja Wilson-led team was the No. 2 seed, entering the playoffs with a high chance of bringing the trophy home.
How Many Games Are in the Aces-Mercury WNBA Finals?
Established in 1997, the WNBA has a slightly different playoff structure than the NBA. This year, the top eight teams advanced to the playoffs, starting with a three-game Round 1 series.
In Round 1, the Aces faced the Seattle Storm, winning 2-1. The Mercury, on their end, beat the Liberty 2-1.
Round 2 (semifinals) was tougher for the Phoenix as they took on the top-seeded Lynx, winning 3-1. The Aces took on the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever during the semifinals, securing a 3-2 victory after a thrilling 107-98 OT win during Game 5.
THE WNBA FINALS ARE SET 🏆
WHO YA GOT? 🍿 pic.twitter.com/UFfEpYMjvr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 1, 2025
The final round, of course, is the WNBA Finals series. The Mercury and Aces will compete in a seven-game series, where the first team to win four games will earn the 2025 WNBA title.
The WNBA Finals Were Extended to Seven Games in 2024
Last October, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expanded the regular and postseason games. The regular season was extended from 40 to 44, while the finals series was upgraded from five games to seven.
The Finals are now a 2-2-1-1-1 format for home games, meaning the top-seeded team would host first.
“The league’s growth and increased demand for WNBA basketball made this the ideal time to expand the schedule, lengthen the Finals and provide fans more opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level,” Engelbert said during her statement.
2025 WNBA Finals Aces-Mercury Complete Schedule
| Day | Date | Away | Home | Game | Time (EST) | TV | Venue |
| Friday | 3rd October | Phoenix | Las Vegas | 1 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN | Michelob ULTRA Arena |
| Sunday | 5th October | Phoenix | Las Vegas | 2 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC | Michelob ULTRA Arena |
| Wednesday | 8th October | Las Vegas | Phoenix | 3 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN | PHX Arena |
| Friday | 10th October | Las Vegas | Phoenix | 4 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN | PHX Arena |
| Sunday | 12th October | Phoenix | Las Vegas | 5* | 3:00 p.m. | ABC | Michelob ULTRA Arena |
| Wednesday | 15th October | Las Vegas | Phoenix | 6* | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN | PHX Arena |
| Friday | 17th October | Phoenix | Las Vegas | 7* | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN | Michelob ULTRA Arena |
Starting this week, Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled on Friday, October 3. Furthermore, Games 5, 6, and 7 will be played only if necessary. ESPN and ABC are broadcast channels, while games will be available to stream on Fubo.
