Jackie Young’s Historic Outing Powers Aces to Game 2 Win Over Mercury
In a performance for the ages, Jackie Young delivered a transcendent showing in Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, carrying the Las Vegas Aces to a dominant 91–78 victory over the Phoenix Mercury and taking a pivotal 2–0 series lead. Young’s outing—highlighted by a record-setting 21 points in the third quarter—may well be remembered as one of the signature playoff performances in WNBA history.
Explosive Third Quarter: A New Finals Benchmark
Young’s third quarter was nothing short of surgical. She poured in 21 points—the most ever scored in a single quarter in WNBA Finals history—turning what had been a competitive contest into a runaway. Her ruthless mix of midrange floaters, aggressive drives, and well-timed jumpers left the Mercury scrambling for answers. The 21-point tally also stands as the highest for any playoff quarter since the league changed to a four-quarter format.
By game’s end, Young had amassed 32 points, tying her playoff career high, along with 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Notably, she became the first Aces player ever to record a 30-point game in the Finals.
A’ja Wilson & Chelsea Gray: The Stellar Supporting Cast
While Young stole the show, she wasn’t alone. A’ja Wilson continued to assert herself as the team’s anchor, contributing 28 points and 14 rebounds, with 20 of those points coming before halftime. Meanwhile, Chelsea Gray turned in a textbook floor-general effort, registering a 10-point, 10-assist double-double.
Together, Young and Wilson combined for 60 points, becoming just the second pair of teammates in Finals history to reach that mark in a single game.
How the Game Shifted
Phoenix came out firing in the first quarter, grabbing an early edge and closing the period with 27 points. et Las Vegas made the critical adjustments in the second quarter, holding Phoenix to just 10 points while scoring 22 themselves to take a 9-point halftime lead. The Aces then poured it on in the third; after Young’s scoring burst and tight defense, their lead ballooned to 76–51 heading into the fourth.
Phoenix mounted a modest push late, but the margin proved too steep to overcome. At its height, Las Vegas led by 22 points.
Phoenix’s Struggles & Missed Opportunities
The Mercury were led offensively by Kahleah Copper, who scored 23, and Satou Sabally, who poured in 22. However, both players were inconsistent from the field, and Phoenix collectively went just 5-of-28 from three-point range—a drastic plunge in efficiency from previous games. Foul trouble plagued Alyssa Thomas, limiting her impact during critical stretches.
Coach Nate Tibbetts admitted the Mercury failed to regain control after halftime, lamenting a lack of adjustment to the Aces’ defensive scheme and insufficient movement off the ball.
What This Means moving Forward
With the Finals shifting to Phoenix for Game 3, the Aces are in prime position to tighten their grip on the series. At 2–0, Las Vegas can afford to stay aggressive while forcing Phoenix to play from behind..The Mercury, meanwhile, face a daunting challenge: they must find both offensive consistency and defensive answers immediately to stave off a sweep scenario.
For Young, this game was more than just a spectacular stat line—it was a statement. Coming off a subdued Game 1, she more than answered the critics, proving she belongs in the Finals spotlight. f she and Wilson continue their dominance and support holds, the Aces may be on track to clinch their third championship in four years.
