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A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans lead Las Vegas Aces past Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in WNBA Finals opener

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Aja Wilson and Dana Evans each scored 21 points as the Las Vegas Aces edged the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night.

Wilson contributed 12 of her points over the final 14 minutes, helping the Aces hold on as Phoenix’s Satou Sabally missed a long 3-pointer with 2 seconds left that would have tied the game. Game 2 is set for Sunday in Las Vegas.

Evans led a dominant Aces bench that outscored the Mercury’s reserves 41-16. Reserve Jewell Loyd added 18 points for second-seeded Las Vegas, while starter Jackie Young contributed 10 points. Wilson also grabbed 10 rebounds, and Chelsea Gray led the team with 10 assists.

For the fourth-seeded Mercury, Kahleah Cooper scored 21 points. Sabally added 19 points, and Alyssa Thomas closely missed a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

Cooper’s 19 first-half points were just one shy of her playoff career high for a half. Interestingly, her personal best of 20 points in a first half also came against the Mercury, during Game 3 of the 2021 Finals when she played for Chicago. Cooper’s five 3-pointers in the first half surpassed her previous high of four made threes in a game.

If this opening game was any indication, this WNBA Finals — the first-ever best-of-seven series — is set to be tightly contested throughout. The largest lead was nine points, and the game featured 12 lead changes and nine ties.

The Mercury threatened to take control on several occasions, only for the Aces to respond with timely runs. In the closing moments, with Phoenix down by one point and 24.6 seconds remaining, Thomas went to the free-throw line but missed both attempts.

On the other end, Young was fouled with 13.5 seconds left and calmly sank both free throws, sealing the final margin and giving Las Vegas the Game 1 victory.

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AP WNBA: Copyright.
https://wtop.com/wnba/2025/10/aja-wilson-and-dana-evans-lead-las-vegas-aces-past-phoenix-mercury-89-86-in-wnba-finals-opener/

Cowboys are down at least 3 offensive linemen, and maybe 4, against Jets

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys will be without at least three starters on their offensive line, and possibly four, when they visit the New York Jets.

Left tackle Tyler Guyton is in the concussion protocol and was ruled out of Sunday’s game, sidelining him along with center Cooper Beebe (foot) and rookie right guard Tyler Booker (high ankle sprain). Standout left guard Tyler Smith is questionable with a knee injury, having not practiced all week. The only healthy starter remaining on the line is right tackle Terence Steele.

Nate Thomas will start in Guyton’s place. This will be the first career start for the second-year player, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. Brock Hoffman will start in place of Beebe, who is on injured reserve and will miss the third of at least four games. Booker will be out for the second week in a row. T.J. Bass replaced Booker in last week’s 40-40 tie with Green Bay. If Smith can’t play, Bass may move to left guard, with either Trevor Keegan or Hakeem Adeniji likely filling the fifth starting spot on the line.

In addition to the offensive line injuries, the Cowboys will be without receiver and kick returner KaVontae Turpin, who has been ruled out with a foot injury. No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb will miss his second game due to a high ankle sprain.

Dallas will also be without a fifth starter on defense—safety Malik Hooker, who injured a toe against the Packers. It appears Hooker will miss multiple games.

Running back Miles Sanders is questionable with knee and ankle injuries, opening the door for rookie Jaydon Blue to be active for the first time.

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AP NFL: Copyright.
https://wtop.com/nfl/2025/10/cowboys-are-down-at-least-3-offensive-linemen-and-maybe-4-against-jets/

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