LAS VEGAS — In a city ruled by the sportsbooks that picked them as a nearly double-digit betting underdog in their season opener, the Phoenix Mercury turned the Las Vegas Aces’ 2026 WNBA championship ring day into their show.
With a 99-66 win over the Aces at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, the Mercury set a new record for the franchise’s largest opening-day win.
They played with the edge guard Kahleah Copper noted it was obvious they should have, considering the fact they were swept by the Aces in the WNBA Finals six months ago.
There’s no avenging a championship loss with one game, and season openers are rarely indicators of how a season will unfold. But the Mercury made a point with the win: It’s time to stop counting them out. Or at least time to stop gifting them an underdog title that doesn’t really fit them anymore.
In Saturday’s win, the Mercury got double-digit performances from each of their starters. Phoenix was led by decorated veteran Alyssa Thomas’ 20 points, and Natasha Mack added a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
The Mercury also got an efficient 19 points from guard Jovana Nogic. It was the 28-year-old Serbian rookie’s debut, and it clearly caught the Aces off guard.
“I feel like we just kind of weren’t overly prepared for her to come in and be that effective in the game,” Aces forward NaLyssa Smith said after her team’s loss, which was the worst ever by a defending champion in its season opener in WNBA history.
Who is Jovana Nogić? Meet the Mercury guard with an electric WNBA debut
To be fair, the Mercury did offer some warnings this might happen. Thomas got in front of reporters during the team’s media day and basically spelled out the fact that Nogic and the entire team would be a problem for opponents. Instead of watching Phoenix’s additions, most of the focus fell on the team losing Satou Sabally to the New York Liberty in free agency.
“We’re always in the underdog role. I think people aren’t familiar with a lot of players that we’ve put on our team, just like last season,” Thomas said. “Once again, we’re counted out, but if people did their research and knew the players that we had on our team, we have a lot more depth this year. A lot of people with a lot of overseas experience. (We’re) just excited to continue to build on what we did last year.”
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 at T-Mobile Arena.
The Mercury did just that Saturday, and now they have the opportunity to turn the page. And in this chapter, maybe they lose the element of surprise.
“We wanted to go out there and start the season off right,” Thomas said after the win. “You don’t forget what happened last season. But at the same time, it’s the beginning of a new season. For us, it was about setting the tone for what we’re bringing this year.”
It’s safe to say the Aces are hoping that nothing from their season-opening no-show leaks into the rest of this campaign.
The reigning champions were led in the defeat by four-time MVP A’ja Wilson’s 19 points. Jackie Young and Smith added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Chennedy Carter was the only other Aces player to reach double figures, recording 10 points in her first regular-season WNBA game since 2024.
It was a re-introduction of sorts for Carter, who wasn’t part of the Aces organization in 2025. The former No. 4 overall pick who dominated overseas leagues during her time away, last played in the WNBA for the Chicago Sky.
Although Carter didn’t receive a ring during the team’s pregame event, the Aces gave one to Crystal Bradford even though she was cut in the fifth week of the season. They’ll also give rings to Tiffany Mitchell and Liz Kitley, who also had short stints with the team during its most recent title run.
Wilson was excited about her new unique and flashy ring before the game started. Afterward, she admitted that the fanfare detracted from the Aces’ focus.
“I hate ceremonies like this,” Wilson said. “Obviously, you want to enjoy it, but there’s a whole business side of the issue to take care of. It’s hard to compartmentalize that at times. I wish we could do it afterward. It’s just very hard to separate the emotions — on both sides.”
The WNBA season tips off as Caitlin Clark returns to the court with the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.
See moments from opening night as one of the league’s brightest stars begins a new season.
Above, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is introduced Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark passes the ball Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts to the action Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks to pass around Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd and Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James on Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.1 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
The WNBA season tips off as Caitlin Clark returns to the court with the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.
See moments from opening night as one of the league’s brightest stars begins a new season.
Above, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is introduced Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
1 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
The WNBA season tips off as Caitlin Clark returns to the court with the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.
See moments from opening night as one of the league’s brightest stars begins a new season.
Above, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is introduced Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
2 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark passes the ball Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts to the action Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
4 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
5 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks to pass around Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd and Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James on Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever’s season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned pregame that she was concerned about her team’s ability to control its emotions. The Aces took an 89-73 loss to the Indiana Fever in Game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs when Wilson was presented with her unprecedented fourth league MVP award last season. Before that, they opened their season with a 92-78 loss to the Liberty. It was the ring night of the team that ended their previous season, but they didn’t have any edge or answers for the Liberty.
Against the Mercury on Saturday, Hammon emphasized that the biggest issue was the Aces’ defense. That was also their problem as they struggled to remain at .500 for the bulk of last season, but they turned it around with a historic win streak to end the year.
That doesn’t provide any comfort for Hammon.
“I don’t want to repeat last year. That was not fun the first half of the season,” Hammon said. “It wasn’t acceptable last year. It’s not acceptable this year. So hopefully we’ll fix it. Obviously sooner than later.”
This story has been updated with new information.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mercury WNBA underdogs no more after big win in Aces ring game
