No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show

Episode: “Aces Flex Their Championship Swagger in Dominant 2-0 Series Lead”

Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Ben Pickman, Sabrina Merchant, Marcus Thompson (with shoutouts to missing co-hosts Zena Keita and Chantel Jennings)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives deep into the Las Vegas Aces’ formidable 2-0 Finals lead over the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals. The discussion centers on the Aces’ dominance—driven by superstar performances from Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson—contrasts in team depth, adjustments from both sides, and how Phoenix can rally as the series shifts back home. The episode breaks down player performances, pivotal moments, and tactical nuances while also giving Phoenix Mercury fans reasons for hope heading into Game 3.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Game Overview and Turning Points

[02:56] Ben Pickman:

• Las Vegas Aces beat Phoenix Mercury 91–78, taking a 2-0 series lead.
• Phoenix led after the first quarter (27–24); the momentum shifted quickly in the second.
• Las Vegas outscored Phoenix by 12 in Q2 and “cruised” in the fourth; but, as Ben notes, “the final score line... not indicative of just how convincing a win this was.”

Phoenix's challenges with handling Aces’ depth and responding to their stars going off is highlighted throughout.

2. Stars Seize the Stage: Jackie Young & A’ja Wilson

[03:39] Sabrina Merchant:

• Jackie Young & A'ja Wilson combined for 60 points.
  • Jackie set a WNBA Finals record with 21 points in a single quarter (Q3).
  • Jackie’s 32 points is an Aces franchise Finals record.
  • “When your best players are that good...I don't really know what Phoenix is supposed to do...” (Sabrina Merchant, 03:39)

[11:22] Ben Pickman:

• A’ja Wilson: 28 points, 14 rebounds (took 23 shots, up from 16 in Game 1).
• If either had two more points, the duo would have made history as the first teammates in Finals history to each score 30+.

[11:52] Sabrina Merchant:

• Wilson is now the only player with three Finals games of 25+ points and 10+ rebounds, passing Breanna Stewart.

[13:44] Marcus Thompson:

• "[A’ja’s] the best player in the world... until you solve for X, you're in trouble." (14:35)

3. Defensive Adjustments & Coaching

[05:43] Sabrina Merchant:

• Las Vegas’ defense responded quickly after a shaky first quarter, limiting Phoenix to just 10 points in the second.
• Credit to Coach Becky Hammon for “using a lot of timeouts,” flipping the defensive switch, and not waiting to fix issues.

[06:45] Marcus Thompson:

• “I think [Coach Hammon] just used Jesus. That's what she said in the postgame. She was like, I'm leaning on Jesus...I mean, this team...they know how to win. They know the moment.”
• Strong veteran presence and self-motivation are central to Aces’ identity.

4. Jackie Young: Legendary Quarter, Toughness, and Narrative

[07:54] Sabrina Merchant:

• Jackie didn’t practice the day before the game: “She was not in...workout gear. She did not get any shots up.”
• Told Coach Hammon, “didn't have my legs, I'll be fine for game two.” She was—scoring 21 in a quarter.

[08:23] Ben Pickman:

• “21 points is the most points ever scored by any player in any quarter in any finals game in WNBA history.”

5. The Chelsea Gray Effect

[08:53] Ben Pickman:

• Chelsea Gray provided “vintage” performance (10 assists, 8 rebounds).
• Her defensive IQ and breathtaking passes set the tone, including a “no look” assist to Alyssa Smith late in the shot clock (09:48).
• The Aces’ offensive fluidity and Gray’s role as “a step ahead” of Phoenix’s defense highlighted.

6. Phoenix Mercury’s Struggles and Paths Forward

Key Issues:

• Lack of depth scoring: Only 6 bench points in Game 2.
• Alyssa Thomas locked down by Vegas’ defense; foul trouble limits her impact.
• Satu Sabally forced inefficient shots (2/9 from three).
• Ball movement and shot selection suffered, especially during key Mercury cold spells.

[15:34] Sabrina Merchant:

• Path forward: Up the physicality (borrowing a blueprint from Indiana Fever’s tactics vs. Aces) and “muck up the game.”

[16:20] Marcus Thompson:

• Mercury must “make shots,” find ways to get Copper and Satu inside rather than settling for perimeter shots.

[19:34] Sabrina Merchant:

• Emphasizes Alyssa Thomas’s struggles as a facilitator: “adjustments have taken her out of it.”

7. Hope for Phoenix: Adjustments, Home Cooking, and Series History

[21:36] Marcus Thompson:

• “Reserves play better at home, though, right? So that's Phoenix there. There's your hope, Mercury fans.”
• History: Aces lost Game 3 on the road after going up 2-0 in both 2022 and 2023 Finals series.
• Sabrina: “I would expect Phoenix to win Game three, too...with the crowd...they were pissed off after Game 2, as they should have been. And...no, we need to get this done now.” (24:35)

8. The Aces’ Greatest Weapon: Versatility and Depth

[25:07] Ben Pickman:

• “The thing that really will stay with me from these first two games is just the multitude of weapons that the Las Vegas have.”

[26:28] Marcus Thompson:

• “The Mercury strength is...matchup nightmare...But it just feels like even when they were going like the Aces just have enough, they can go shot for shot with you...That's firepower.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When your best players are that good...I don't really know what Phoenix is supposed to do in that situation.” – Sabrina Merchant [03:39]
• “[A’ja’s] the best player in the world...until you solve for X, you're in trouble.” – Marcus Thompson [14:35]
• “21 points is the most points ever scored by any player in any quarter in any finals game in WNBA history. That's a lot of enies, but that is a lot of history.” – Ben Pickman [08:23]
• “I think [Coach Hammon] just used Jesus. That's what she said in the postgame. She was like, I'm leaning on Jesus.” – Marcus Thompson [06:45]
• “Reserves play better at home, though, right? So that's...your hope, Mercury fans.” – Marcus Thompson [21:36]
• “I would expect Phoenix to win Game three, too...with the crowd...no, we need to get this done now.” – Sabrina Merchant [24:35]

Key Timestamps

• [02:56] Game 2 recap, Aces’ victory, score breakdown.
• [03:39] Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson’s dominant night.
• [05:43] Aces’ mid-game defensive adjustments.
• [07:54] Jackie Young’s pre-game condition and record-setting quarter.
• [08:53] Chelsea Gray’s “vintage” all-around performance.
• [14:35] Discussion on A’ja Wilson as the world’s best.
• [15:34] Phoenix’s path to a comeback—more physicality.
• [19:34] Alyssa Thomas’s struggles dissected.
• [21:36] Why Phoenix can have hope as series returns home.
• [24:35] Hosts’ expectations that Phoenix will respond in Game 3.
• [25:07] Las Vegas’ multitude of offensive weapons.
• [26:28] The advantage of Aces’ depth.

Tone and Style

The hosts strike a balance of incisive basketball breakdown, wit, and a conversational style, illustrated by friendly banter (“Ninth is a slight exaggeration…” [02:43]) and clever analogies (“They know the moment…this is a different level of how to win a game.” – Marcus Thompson [06:45]). The tone is sharp but enthusiastic, with respect and real insight for both teams.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode delivers a thorough, engaging “film session” on Game 2 of the WNBA Finals:

• **The Las Vegas Aces have taken a commanding 2-0 series lead backed by star turns from Jackie Young (historic 21-point quarter) and A’ja Wilson (“best player in the world”).
• Defensive adjustments, depth, and versatility separate the Aces from Phoenix.
• The Mercury need to toughen up, find ways to get scoring from bench and role players, and rediscover Alyssa Thomas as facilitator.
• There’s hope for Phoenix—returning home, the crowd advantage, historical precedent, and the promise of “every game a new story” in a best-of-seven.
• Ultimately, the Aces’ array of weapons and composure make them look like favorites, but the series isn’t over yet.

Stay tuned for Game 3 recap—the hosts promise to break down all key developments the next morning, no matter who wins.