Inside the Mercury's Past Playoff History With Bitter Rival

The Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces are competing in the WNBA Finals, representing a clash of two highly talented teams with successful regular seasons. Both franchises have championship histories, with the Mercury having won three titles (in 2007, 2009, and 2014) and the Aces securing two (in 2022 and 2023).

Key roster changes have occurred for both teams: the Mercury lost Diana Taurasi to retirement and Brittney Griner, who signed with the Atlanta Dream, but they acquired new players like Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces added Jewell Loyd after parting ways with Kelsey Plum, who was the first pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars before the team relocated to Las Vegas and became the Aces, later drafting A'ja Wilson in 2018.

The Finals carry historical significance, as the Mercury have faced the predecessor of the Aces, the San Antonio Stars, multiple times in the playoffs. In 2007, Phoenix swept San Antonio in the playoffs and went on to win the championship against the Detroit Shock. They met again in 2009, with the Mercury defeating the Stars and ultimately winning the title, and in 2010, Phoenix swept San Antonio but was eliminated by the Seattle Storm. This marks the first playoff encounter since the team's relocation to Las Vegas, highlighting a full-circle rivalry in the Western Conference as the Mercury aim to secure another championship by defeating their longtime opponent.