Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12), Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22), and Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) react during an interview after defeating the Indiana Fever 107-98 in overtime of game five of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Mercury celebrate their 86-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semifinal playoffs at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025.
Sep 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) talks with forward Satou Sabally (0) during game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The 2025 WNBA Finals will feature two of the league's best teams battling against each other for championship hardware.

The Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury will face off in the league's first-ever best-of-seven Finals series to decide a champion, with Game 1 set for Las Vegas on Friday.

Napheesa Collier’s blunt call out of the WNBA, explained

As we analyze what this playoff series might look like, these five storylines are at the front of our minds. Let's run through them and talk about why each of them are worth paying attention to during the Finals.

Caitlin Clark gives support to Napheesa Collier's WNBA criticisms

Can the Aces win their third title in four years?

The Aces are on the verge of cementing their dynasty as they will contend for their third title in four seasons. After missing the WNBA Finals last year, can Las Vegas add a third trophy to the mantle?

Will the Mercury set the new standard for rebuilds?

In the offseason, Phoenix traded for superstars in forward Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally in their first year without legendary guard Diana Taurasi. That combo has paired magnificently with incumbent forward Kahleah Copper to give the Mercury a title-contending trio. In what could have been a transitional year after Taurasi's retirement, will Phoenix set the new standard for single-offseason reset?

How will A'ja Wilson further define her GOAT status?

Wilson's recent MVP award added yet another impressive achievement to her long list of honors. If she wins another title with the Aces and does so in impressive manner, her case as the WNBA's best-ever player will only grow stronger.

Was DeWanna Bonner the missing piece for Phoenix?

Bonner joined the Mercury in July after spending the first third of the season with the Indiana Fever. Her playoff experience showed up in a big way for Phoenix in September. How will it show up for them in the Finals?

How will the new playoff format work?

This is the first best-of-seven series the WNBA has used in its history to decide a championship winner. How will the expanded format affect what we're used to with a WNBA Finals? We're very curious to find out.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 WNBA Finals storylines worth following for Aces vs. Mercury

Reporting by Cory Woodroof, For The Win / For The Win

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect