Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is tonight. Stay tuned into the action with our matchup preview—and more—in today’s edition.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Courtney Lee, JD Davison, and Jonathan Isaac! 🎉

Aces-Mercury Preview

The WNBA Finals are here, and for the first time in league history, it’s a best-of-seven series. Thankfully, we’ve got a matchup that fits that intensity.

♠️ Las Vegas Aces: Chasing A Dynasty

Anchored by one of the most dominant players in league history, the Las Vegas Aces arrive at the Finals riding the momentum of a battle-tested playoff run. MVP and co-DPOY A’ja Wilson has upped her game in the paint and midrange this postseason, highlighted by a 35-point performance in Game 5 against Indiana to close the series and bring her team to the Finals.

Speaking of her team, Jackie Young’s scoring and playmaking have reached new heights in these playoffs. Her ability to create for herself makes Young a persistent threat in iso and PnR sets, and with Chelsea Gray’s experience as a secondary facilitator, Vegas’ backcourt has shown an ability to stay steady and composed in high-leverage moments. While hoopers outside of their top three like NaLyssa Smith have shown flashes this postseason, the Aces’ depth will certainly be tested by Phoenix’s versatile frontcourt.

After ending the regular season on a 16-game win streak, Las Vegas’ playoff path has not been without challenge. Their collective experience and poise winning games over the past two months make three titles in four years seem more than doable. 🏆

☄️ Phoenix Mercury: Grit, Grit, Grit

It wasn’t the longest of shots, but the Mercury are entering the Finals as this year’s surprise. They’re led by two-way dynamo Alyssa Thomas, who shouldered a heavy load for Phoenix this year en route to new single-season WNBA records in assists (357) and triple-doubles (8). Her partnership with Satou Sabally has given Phoenix a dangerous frontcourt punch, as Sabally’s length and shooting have opened up the floor alongside Kahleah Copper in the backcourt.

Phoenix’s playoff run reflects their resilience. They knocked out the defending champion New York Liberty in the first round and then upset the top-seeded Lynx in the semis. Each time they’ve been pushed, the Mercury have responded with toughness.

The main question mark heading into this series is depth. Just like the Aces, Phoenix leans heavily on their top three, and they’ll need secondary help from players like Kathryn Westbeld and Sami Whitcomb if they want to keep pace with Vegas’ star power. Still, with Thomas orchestrating, Sabally stretching defenses, and DeWanna Bonner delivering in big moments, the Mercury might just have the right balance of talent and belief to challenge the Aces over an epic seven-game series. 💪

(Off-) Preseason NBA Action

Knicks beat 76ers 99-84 in Abu Dhabi exhibition game

That’s right! The NBA calendar has officially crossed the barrier from off-season to pre-season, and the league did it in style with the first of two exhibition matches in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

New York found a little rhythm early in this preseason game, using quick ball movement and spacing to take a lead in the second quarter that they never surrendered. Miles McBride (12 PTS) led the Knicks in scoring from the bench and Mitchell Robinson (7 PTS, 16 REB) previewed some of the glass dominance he’s planning on bringing to MSG this season, helping New York win the rebounding battle 58-46. Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe led the Sixers with 14 PTS apiece, but 20 Philadelphia turnovers stalled any offensive momentum.

New York and Philly play once more in Abu Dhabi tomorrow before finishing their respective preseason schedules stateside. Our game has never been more international! 🌎

Offseason Quick Hits:

Quentin Grimes signs $8.7 million qualifying offer in Philadelphia: The 76ers keep the 25-year-old guard on a one-year deal after his late-season surge in Philly, where he averaged almost 22 PTS per game after being dealt by Dallas at the deadline.

Miami Heat, Nikola Jovic agree to four-year, $62.4 million contract extension: Jovic has steadily developed into a versatile NBA forward since being drafted late in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft, and this new deal signals Miami’s intent to make him a long-term part of the frontcourt alongside Bam.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Happy Friday! Thanks for sticking with us this week, Enjoyers. We’re at that glorious part of the sports calendar where all four major leagues are at least playing exhibition games—soak it all up while you can!

Austin Zeglis