Mercury trounce Aces by 33 on champs' ring day
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- Phoenix Mercury beat the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 99‑66 in the season opener, the largest margin of victory for Phoenix and the biggest opening defeat for a defending champion in WNBA history.
- A'ja Wilson said the ring ceremony before the game made it hard to compartmentalize emotions and noted the Mercury would be especially motivated after a long offseason.
- Jovana Nogic debuted for Phoenix, scoring 19 points in her first WNBA game, a sign that the new collective bargaining agreement’s higher salaries are attracting European players.
- Alyssa Thomas contributed 20 points and nine assists for the Mercury, helping set a tone for the season after last year’s finals loss.
- Las Vegas Aces received their 2025 championship rings at T‑Mobile Arena before the opener, with owners Mark Davis and Tom Brady present, and will raise a third championship banner on May 23 at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Why it matters: Phoenix’s win sets a season‑opening tone, reinforcing Mercury’s resolve after last year’s finals loss; the Aces’ historic defeat adds pressure before their May 23 banner ceremony, and the new CBA’s higher salaries are already attracting European talent like Nogic.
