Sports
WNBA Finals Game 2 live tracker: Can Mercury even series vs. Aces?
LAS VEGAS — Game 1 of the WNBA Finals delivered another thriller. Trailing by nine points with 3:36 left in the third quarter, the Las Vegas Aces used a heavy dose of zone defense to slow down the Phoenix Mercury in the final period and got timely scoring from reserve guard Dana Evans to win Friday.
Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas fell an assist shy of her third triple-double in a WNBA Finals game — something no other player has done — but missed two critical free throws with the Mercury down one in the final 30 seconds.
Still, a win Sunday in Game 2 (3 p.m. ET, ABC) would give Phoenix a split on the road and allow the Mercury to claim home-court advantage in the first best-of-seven Finals in WNBA history. How might Phoenix adjust in Game 2? And what can Las Vegas improve after the team’s third win in as many playoff rounds that went down to the buzzer of regulation?
ESPN is tracking all the action right here, as it happens.



WNBA Finals Game 2 preview
Big bench performances made up for quiet offensive nights from some Aces starters. Who needs to step up in Game 2?
Kendra Andrews: The Aces need more offensive production from Jackie Young, who finished with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, including 0-of-6 from 3. That’s about half her regular-season scoring average. Aces coach Becky Hammon told Young to help the bench get going, and she succeeded there. But Hammon also noted that Young, as well as A’ja Wilson, appeared a bit fatigue, which makes sense after they carried Las Vegas to victory in the decisive game of its semifinal series with Indiana. I’m watching to see if Young looks fresher despite a quick turnaround between games.
Alexa Philippou: Building on Kendra’s point, Young was the only player not in uniform at the Aces’ optional shootaround Saturday. Hammon said she thought her star guard had heavy legs in Game 1 but would be good to go Sunday. “I think her back was tired. She kind of carried us that Game [5],” the coach said jokingly. Young doesn’t need to carry Las Vegas, but the Aces need her to be more like herself to keep up with the high-octane Mercury the rest of the series.
Kevin Pelton: I’m curious whether NaLyssa Smith is more involved in Game 2. She scored a combined 34 points in Games 2 and 3 against the Fever in the semifinals, both Aces wins, but played just 16 minutes Friday after sitting out the stretch run of the final win over Indiana. Las Vegas is 3-0 (all lopsided wins) this postseason when Smith scores in double digits.
What adjustments do the Mercury need to make?
Philippou: Phoenix thought it was a promising sign that the Aces went away from their zone so early in the series, an indication Hammon thought her team’s man-to-man defense wasn’t working. “I think their zone will evolve. I think our offense will evolve,” Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said Saturday, reiterating that the film session focused on identifying weaknesses in the Aces’ zone. Tibbetts also said Phoenix’s defensive energy needs to improve; giving up 89 points to the Aces won’t cut it.
Pelton: Phoenix didn’t totally capitalize on the offensive glass Friday night. The Aces came into the Finals last in defensive rebound percentage during the playoffs, then played smaller than usual in Game 1 with the 5-foot-6 Evans replacing the 6-4 Smith in their closing lineup. Yet, the Mercury had fewer offensive rebounds than Las Vegas. If the Aces go zone again, Phoenix players who have a size advantage should focus on crashing the glass.
Andrews: The Mercury have to figure out how to pick apart the Aces’ zone defense, a strategy Phoenix had not faced much in the playoffs. Heading into Game 1, the Mercury had faced just two possessions of zone — both against New York in the first round. On Friday, the Aces used a zone defense on 21 plays, 20 of which came in the second half, according to ESPN Insights. Phoenix shot 27% from the field on those possessions, compared with 53% shooting against Las Vegas’ one-on-one defense (72 possessions). The Mercury still finished with 14 3-pointers, but they have to figure out a successful game plan against a zone.
1:23
Dana Evans reacts to being called ‘the engine’ of Aces after clutch 3
Dana Evans reacts to A’ja Wilson calling her the Aces’ “engine” after Evans’ big game off the bench lifts Las Vegas in Game 1.
What are you watching for in Game 2? If it’s another close game, what could be the difference?
Philippou: Throughout the playoffs, Hammon has harped on the importance of the Aces handling success. “I want to not be able to tell whether we’re coming off a win or a loss. The mindset is the mindset,” Hammon said Saturday. “I want to see a mature approach, a veteran approach, a veteran mindset.” She thinks they’ve done only “OK” in this regard this postseason. And in a long series against a team as good as Phoenix, which was so close to beating them in Game 1, such an outlook will be as important as ever if the Aces want to win their third championship.
Pelton: The focus on the Las Vegas bench obscured that it was a relatively down night for the Mercury’s reserves. Although DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb combined for 16 points, they took 21 shots, going a combined 4-of-15 from 3-point range. Getting Whitcomb going would make the Aces think twice about going to the zone.
Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Man City, Man United in for Anderson
Local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are set for a battle to sign Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson this summer, while Liverpool‘s Curtis Jones is a target for Serie A leader Inter Milan. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester City and Manchester United are vying to sign Elliot Anderson this summer, the Daily Mirror reports. According to the outlet, the Nottingham Forest midfielder is a top target for both clubs after establishing himself as a key player in the England national team. Anderson, 23, is valued at around the £75 million mark, although a bidding war could see that rise. Should Forest be relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, it’s reported that the club will have “no choice” but to let Anderson leave.
– Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones could be back on Inter Milan’s radar, according to Corriere dello Sport. Both Inter and AC Milan clubs were linked with moves for the England international in January, although concrete offers didn’t materialise. Jones, 25, will enter the final year of his Liverpool contract in June, meaning he could be signed for a cut-price fee. The Italian club are also interested in taking Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni on loan, should he become available in the summer.
– Barcelona remain optimistic that they can secure a permanent agreement for winger Marcus Rashford in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 28-year-old is on loan at from Manchester United, but a clause in the loan agreement means the Spanish club can sign him permanently for a fixed fee. While personal terms are “almost done” on the player’s side, United’s insistence that the full €30 million fee be paid could still complicate matters. Rashford has played 21 times in La Liga this season for the club, scoring four goals and grabbing seven assists.
– Aston Villa are one of several Premier League sides keen on signing Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, so says TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old has largely played second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma this season, having made only 11 appearances in all competitions to date. Newcastle United are also keeping tabs on Trafford after attempting to sign him in January.
– Tino Livramento could leave Newcastle United at the end of the season with Manchester City among his suitors, the Daily Telegraph has revealed. Livramento is currently unwilling to extend his contract at St James’ Park, with a view now emerging that he’d be willing to move if a “top club” comes in for him. The Telegraph suggests that even if Livramento signs a new contract at Newcastle, it will almost certainly include a release clause. The England international’s current deal is set to expire in July 2028.
EXPERT TAKE
2:18
Marcotti: The time taken for verdict of Man City’s 115 charges is absurd
Gab Marcotti explains why there has still been no verdict for Manchester City’s 115 financial charges.
OTHER RUMORS
– Juventus will need to qualify for next season’s Champions League competition if they wish to pursue a deal for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Italian club are “keen admirers” of Alisson, but they currently face an uphill battle to be able to finance a move for him. (Football Insider)
– Norwich City defender Kellen Fisher is “firmly on the radar” of several Premier League clubs, including Everton. Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United have also watched him in recent weeks. (TEAMtalk)
– Chelsea are not entertaining the idea of letting Cole Palmer leave the club in the summer in order to generate transfer revenue. (Standard)
– Bayern Munich are big admirers of Tottenham youngster Luka Vuskovic, who is on loan at Hamburg this season. (Christian Falk)
– Arsenal have been handed a boost in the race to sign Julián Alvarez, as Barcelona chief Deco has confirmed he has not held talks with the Argentine over a summer move. (Daily Mirror)
– Arsenal scouts have been to watch Cagliari right-back Marco Palestra in recent matches. (Nicolo Schira)
– Emil Krafth is ready to leave Newcastle United this summer as a free agent. (Nicolo Schira)
– Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is keen on a move to Barcelona in the future. (Ekrem Konur)
– Jesse Lingard‘s move to Corinthians is in the “final stages”, with all paperwork now completed. (Ekrem Konur)
Sports
Ex-pitcher Serafini sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder
AUBURN, Calif. — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home by Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr; attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood; and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed, and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a statement Friday that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly impacted family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not return requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney, David Dratman, argued that there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. Dratman told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have a motive to kill them.
After his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Sports
Michigan tops Illinois for 1st outright Big Ten regular-season title since ’14
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Morez Johnson Jr. had 19 points and 11 rebounds against his former team as No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 10 Illinois 84-70 on Friday night and clinched the Big Ten regular-season title.
Johnson, who played for the Illini last season after verbally committing three years earlier, was booed throughout the game by Illinois fans.
Aday Mara had 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting, and Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for the Wolverines (27-2, 17-1), who are 10-0 on the road and have won 23 games by 10 or more points.
The Wolverines won their first outright conference regular-season title since 2014, when they also clinched with a win at Illinois.
Michigan’s 17 conference victories are the most in school history.
Keaton Wagler scored 23 points for the Fighting Illini (22-7, 13-5), who have lost four of six, including three in overtime. Wagler scored in double figures for the 21st straight game.
Kylan Boswell scored 15 points, and David Mirkovic had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Illini, who entered the game as the Big Ten’s top 3-point shooting team. Illinois was just 9-of-29 from distance against Michigan.
Michigan led 38-31 at halftime behind Johnson’s 13 points.
Down 16-11 after a four-point play by Wagler, the Wolverines responded with an 11-point run capped by a 3 by Johnson and never trailed again. They led by as many as 21 points in the second half.
Michigan’s win snapped a nine-game losing streak against Illinois that began in 2019. The Wolverines had dropped four in a row to the Illini at the State Farm Center.
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