Updated WNBA Playoff Bracket Picture 2025 After Aces, Mercury Win Pivotal Game 3s

Friday night began with a pivotal Game 3 between the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces and No. 6 Indiana Fever, with the series knotted at one game apiece.

A'ja Wilson and the Aces traveled to Indiana and came away with a hard-fought win, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series.

The series kicked off with the Fever stunning the nation by taking Game 1 on the road, led by Kelsey Mitchell's 34-point performance. But the Aces responded in Game 2 with a dominant 22-point win, as Wilson finished just shy of a double-double with 25 points and nine rebounds to even the series.

Meanwhile, top‑seeded Minnesota fell to No. 4 Phoenix 84‑76 in Game 3 on Friday, giving the Mercury a 2‑1 series advantage.

The Lynx opened their series at home against the Mercury with a commanding 82-69 win, as Courtney Williams led the way with 23 points and seven assists.

In Game 2, the Mercury trailed by 16 at halftime and by as many as 20 points before mounting a comeback. Sami Whitcomb capped the rally with a step-back 3-pointer to force overtime, where Phoenix pulled out an 89-83 win to tie the series at 1-1.

Las Vegas Aces defeat Indiana Fever, 84-72

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

The Las Vegas Aces took Game 3 and en route to a 2-1 advantage over the Indiana Fever with a 84-72 victory on Friday night on the road. 

Wilson opened the scoring with a 3-pointer for the Aces, who held a 20-16 lead after the first quarter behind Jackie Young's six points. Indiana's Aliyah Boston led the Fever with six points in the opening period.

Indiana outscored Las Vegas 18-15 in the second quarter, closing the gap with a late flurry of baskets. The Aces held a slim 35-34 lead at halftime.

NaLyssa Smith finished the half with eight points for Las Vegas, while Young added 10. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 11 points, and Lexie Hull chipped in 10.

Out of halftime, the teams continued to trade baskets, with Young reaching 21 points and Wilson adding four in the third quarter to help Las Vegas take a 59-56 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The Aces began to pull away in the fourth quarter, holding the Fever scoreless from the field until the 2:25 mark while going on a 12-0 run. The defensive stand helped seal the win for Las Vegas.

Young led the Aces with 25 points while Wilson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Chelsea Gray added 15 points and six assists and Smith added 16 points in the victory.

The semifinal series will remain in Indiana for Game 4 on Sunday, with tipoff set for 3 p.m. ET, as the Fever face elimination.

Phoenix Mercury defeat Minnesota Lynx, 84-76

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

The No. 4 Phoenix Mercury grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the No. 1 seeded Minnesota Lynx after an 84-76 victory at home on Friday.

Both teams got off to a strong start, trading baskets in a fast-paced opening quarter. The Lynx held a 22-19 lead after one, led by five points from Napheesa Collier and seven from Williams.

Kahleah Copper and the Mercury responded in the second quarter, closing the gap and taking a 48-44 lead into halftime. Copper led all scorers with 17 points at the break, while Alyssa Thomas added 10. For the Lynx, Collier finished the half with 13 points, and Natisha Hiedeman chipped in 11.

The Lynx put together a dominant third quarter, with Hiedeman scoring six straight points down the stretch to help Minnesota take a 67-63 lead into the final frame.

Despite a 7-0 run by the Mercury to open the fourth quarter, the Lynx regained their rhythm, sparked by a timely scoring burst from Maria Kliunditkova. The teams traded leads down the stretch in a back-and-forth battle, with Satou Sabally catching fire late for Phoenix.

Minnesota trailed by four with under 30 seconds left when Thomas came up with a clutch steal and layup, extending Phoenix's lead to 82-76 with 21 seconds remaining. A furious Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected after picking up a technical, along with assistant Eric Thibault. The Mercury capitalized and held on for the win.

Sabally led the Mercury with 23 points. Thomas added 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Copper finished with 21 points, as Phoenix took a 2-1 lead in the series.

Game 4 will remain in Phoenix on Sunday, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. ET, as the top-seeded Lynx look to keep their playoff hopes alive on the road.