LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces threw a championship party, but the Phoenix Mercury showed up to spoil it.

For a full week, Sin City was buzzing with celebration. The Aces premiered their “Never Fold” documentary, reliving their 2025 title run. Superstar A’ja Wilson debuted her signature A’Two sneaker at Caesars Palace. And just before tip-off of the season opener, the team received their championship rings—two of them, no less.

Then the basketball started, and the good times came to a screeching halt.

The Mercury won the opening tip, scored the first basket, and never looked back, dismantling the defending champions 99-66. It was a statement win that sent shockwaves through the WNBA. Las Vegas became the first team to lose on ring night since 2018, when the Minnesota Lynx fell on a buzzer-beater to the Los Angeles Sparks.

For Phoenix, this wasn’t just another game. This was revenge. The Mercury were the team the Aces swept in the 2025 WNBA Finals, and that bitter taste had lingered for six long months. As Aces coach Becky Hammon admitted before the game, “If I’m Phoenix, I’m coming in with an edge. They’ve been pissed off for the last six months.”

And it showed. From the opening tip, the Mercury played with intensity, precision, and a chip on their shoulder. Alyssa Thomas was the engine, stuffing the stat sheet with 20 points and 9 assists in just 26 minutes. Natasha Mack provided a strong interior presence, finishing efficiently on offense while doing just enough to disrupt A’ja Wilson on defense.

The surprise star of the night? Jovana Nogic. The Serbian guard had only two practices with Phoenix during training camp before being thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury to Sami Whitcomb. She responded like a veteran, pouring in 19 points and drilling 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, the Aces couldn’t find any rhythm. The Mercury locked down the paint, forcing Las Vegas to settle for midrange jumpers. Those jumpers didn’t fall, and the Aces finished a dismal 4-of-19 from three-point range. Even a potential spark off the bench in Chennedy Carter fizzled, as her defensive struggles proved too costly to overcome.

For the Mercury, this was a statement: last season’s sweep was an anomaly, and they’re ready to reclaim their place atop the WNBA. For the Aces, it’s a wake-up call—championship rings don’t win games. Effort does.