The Las Vegas Aces face the Phoenix Mercury in a rematch in Vegas on Tuesday, May 21. Both teams are coming off wins. An electrifying win for Vegas against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday highlighted rookie Kate Martin’s strengths. The Mercury locked down its first win of the season against the Atlanta Dream at home. Can the Merc bring that same energy on the road in Sin City? Will it be enough to beat the two-time WNBA champions? Ahead of the Aces vs Mercury game, we’ll be making our predictions and telling you how to watch the contest.
The Aces have kept up the homestand winning streak. Vegas goes into the game 2-0 for the year with high points, rebounds, and assists. When they last played, the team went home victorious with a score of 89-82 against the Sparks. There's no doubt that the defending champions are going for the three-peat.
MVP A’ja Wilson and her teammates had no issue shutting down and grabbing the W against the Merc in the first game of the season. But this time around things may not be so easy.
While Phoenix didn’t do so well in the first game against Las Vegas losing 89-80, they did bring the heat in their last game. Phoenix took an 88-85 win over Atlanta with a spectacular showing from Kahleah Cooper. The new addition to the team put up 38 points pushing her season average to an impressive 28.5 points per game. She is in good company.
Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen are both newcomers who continue to put up shots for the team. Copper, Cloud, and Allen combined for 47 points in the first matchup with the Aces this season.
But, unfortunately, the Merc is missing a big component: lead scorer Brittney Griner. One of the W’s leading centers is once again sidelined due to a toe injury.
Look for Phoenix to lean on Diana Taurasi, Sophie Cunningham, and Sug Sutton, all of whom averaged at least 10 minutes per game during the 2023 season. And yes Taurasi is aging, gracefully, but even legends are on the clock. Does this legend of the game have time on her side? With the support of her team, it’s possible.
If the Mercury brings their competitive edge hot off their win against the Dream, it’s sure to be an intense showdown against the Aces. But an intense showdown is exactly what the star-studded Aces are prepared for. Coach Becky Hammon’s insanely talented roster is a challenge for any team in the W to compete with. The odds are on Sin City.
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WNBA Odds: Mercury-Aces Odds
Here are the Mercury-Aces WNBA Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
Phoenix Mercury: +14.5 (-108)
Las Vegas Aces: -14.5 (-112)
Over: 171.5 (-110)
Under: 171.5 (-110)
How to Watch Mercury vs. Aces
TV: ESPN2
Stream: ESPN Plus, Disney Plus
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Las Vegas Aces keep up the rebounds amid Phoenix Mercury defense struggle
The season is just getting started and Las Vegas boasts the fourth most efficient offense in the WNBA. Wilson has been the top player this season averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds per game.
While Phoenix averages well over 80 points per game, defense is a struggle. The foul line continues to be a concern. The Aces have outscored their first two opponents 39-16 at the foul line and are +24 in points off turnovers.
“With a minute left, we’re down three, and then all of a sudden they’re at the foul line again, which wasn’t a huge shock for the whole night,” Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi said not long after the first meeting of the season came to an end.
Mercury to duke it out to the end
The Merc has something to prove. Phoenix will be the underdog for the third game in a row. Last year, Phoenix lost the four regular-season meetings to the Aces by an average of 20.5 points.
Things were a little more competitive in the first matchup this season as the Mercury trailed by three points with 1:17 to play before losing 89-80. The Mercury comes into Tuesday off their first victory of the season following a three-point win against Atlanta. Phoenix is averaging 84 points on just over 36% shooting from the floor. Expect a back-and-forth high-scoring affair Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Aces or bust
The Las Vegas Aces are the best WNBA team right now. Period. The team is on a mission to a third championship. They are led by the tenacious Hammon and a starting lineup that has all the makings of a dynasty. Unfortunately, the Mercury didn’t have the stacked team last year and the defense continues to struggle this year. It’s AllinLV, once again.
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