Game 1 of this year’s WNBA Finals, which featured WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces defeating the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 last Friday, was the most-watched Game 1 of the league’s championship round since 1997.
The 1997 season was the league’s inaugural campaign. That marked the only season that the WNBA Finals was just one game. The Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty 65-51, and the matchup averaged 2.85 million viewers, per Sports Media Watch.
Game 1 of this year’s Finals was an instant classic. Wilson posted yet another double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) while Dana Evans (21 points) and Jewell Loyd (18 points) dominated off the bench. Evans was particularly outstanding, hitting 5-of-6 three-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter.
The back-and-forth matchup went down to the final possession after the Aces took an 89-86 lead following two Jackie Young free throws. Satou Sabally had a contested look from three to tie the game, but it was off the mark.
Las Vegas followed that effort up with a 91-78 win in Game 2. Young led the scoring effort with 32 points, while Wilson posted 28 points and 14 rebounds.
This year marks the first time the WNBA Finals is a best-of-seven series, so the Aces need two more wins to secure their third championship.
Game 3 will take place in Phoenix on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
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