What time is Game 1 of WNBA Finals? Time, schedule, how to watch Mercury-Aces showdown

The Las Vegas Aces are on the verge of a dynasty.

The No. 2 seed Aces are set to make their fourth WNBA Finals appearance in six years and are four wins away from winning the franchise’s third WNBA championship in four years. Unlike their previous years of domination, however, the Aces had to dig themselves out of a big hole to get her after starting the season with a 9-11 record.

“This season was completely different. We lost a lot of games early on. It took a lot of grit and toughness to get here, just being resilient,” said Aces guard Jackie Young, who dropped 32 points and 10 assists in Las Vegas’ Game 5 overtime win over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday to advance to the championship series. “In the past, we were probably (a) top three (team) all season. This year, it was different. We really had to fight to get where we wanted to be in the playoff standings.”

The No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury stand in their way.

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Sept. 21: The Minnesota Lynx’s Courtney Williams (10) dribbles the ball past the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas (25) during Game 1 at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Sept. 21: The Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots the ball over the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (24) during Game 1 at Target Center.

Sept. 21: The Indiana Fever’s Odyssey Sims (1) celebrates with teammates during the Fever’s 89-73 Game 1 win over the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Sept. 21: The Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell (0) attempts to score a layup while defended by the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) and Jewell Loyd (24) during the second quarter of Game 1 at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Sept. 21: The Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell (0) attempts to score a layup against the Las Vegas Aces during Game 1 at Michelob Ultra Arena.

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The Mercury wrapped up their semifinal series over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday behind a dominant Game 4 performance from Alyssa Thomas, who finished with 23 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. This marks Thomas’ first Finals appearance sine 2022, when she and the Connecticut Sun lost to Wilson and the Aces.

“It’s disappointing to get to the Finals and lose. It’s even extremely harder to get back,” Thomas said on Sept. 28. “We’re excited. We believe in each other and are Finals bound. One more to go.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.