Aces make wrong kind of history in season opener

Las Vegas Aces forward Nalyssa Smith (3) and guard Chelsea Gray (12) battle for the ball with Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Aces make wrong kind of history while celebrating 2025 championship in season opener

By Eric Smithling | Last updated May 9, 2026 8:05 PM ET

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Saturday began with a festive atmosphere for the Las Vegas Aces, yet by halftime of their season opener against the Phoenix Mercury, the party was over.

The Aces celebrated their 2025 WNBA title, the franchise's third in four seasons, ahead of the rematch of last year's finals, with players receiving amazing 2-in-1 championship rings in a pregame ceremony. But the Mercury spoiled the occasion while also reminding the league they won't be an easy out following forward Satou Sabally's offseason departure, blowing out Las Vegas, 99-66.

Phoenix shot 49 percent and made 11 threes, compared to four by Las Vegas. The Mercury also forced the Aces into 17 turnovers. Forward Alyssa Thomas led all scorers with 20 points, adding nine assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Aces' championship salute dimmed by blowout loss to Mercury

The resounding defeat put a damper on the championship celebration, but it by no means suggests the Aces are in serious trouble. If anything, it could prompt a massive win streak. Just last season, Las Vegas fell to the Minnesota Lynx, 111-58, in early August to fall to 14-14 before winning 16 in a row and going on to win the WNBA Finals.

Saturday's loss wasn't as ugly, but not by much. Las Vegas trailed by 21, 56-35, at halftime, marking the largest deficit by a defending champion in its first game of the following season in league history.

well. pic.twitter.com/puy4OFDLet
— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 9, 2026

Things didn't get any better during the second half, when the Aces were outscored 43-31. As ESPN WNBA insider Alexa Philippou noted, the 33-point margin of defeat is the largest by a reigning champ in its season opener.

In a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury demolish the Las Vegas Aces, 99-66.

It’s the largest loss by a defending WNBA champion in a season opener, as well as the Mercury’s largest season opening win in franchise history.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) May 9, 2026

As disappointing as the loss was, Las Vegas has been here before, making it little more than a hiccup. It might take time for the Aces to hit their stride, but no one should doubt that at some point this season they will.

Just because Las Vegas made the wrong kind of history in its opener doesn't mean it won't be making the right kind soon enough.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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