Overview

• Game 1 tips at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, launching the league’s new best-of-seven championship series format.
• The Aces pursue a third title in four years behind four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, while Phoenix chases a fourth franchise crown led by Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally.
• Phoenix reached the Finals by eliminating the defending champion Liberty and top-seeded Lynx; Las Vegas survived a last-possession scare vs. Seattle and won an overtime Game 5 against Indiana.
• Oddsmakers make Las Vegas a narrow series favorite (around -125 at BetMGM and -130 at Caesars), and both teams say regular-season results won’t dictate the matchup.
• The Mercury’s surge follows owner Mat Ishbia’s heavy investment, including a $100 million practice facility, as WNBA playoff interest climbs with Aces–Fever averaging a record 1.56 million viewers.