Phoenix Mercury head to Game 1 of WNBA Finals in Las Vegas

The Mercury are facing the Aces in Las Vegas on Friday for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

Phoenix wasn’t supposed to make it this far after losing franchise legends Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner during the offseason. But the addition of veterans Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and DeWanna Bonner got them back in contention, adding to a roster that already included former finals MVP Kahleah Copper.

Copper, who was injured for much of the regular season, says they caught the rest of the league by surprise.

"I don’t think anyone thought we could do it this quickly, especially with me jumping in there halfway through the season, us kind of being in and out with injuries, but it’s testament to who are as players and the sacrifices we’re willing to make for each other," Copper said.

It’s the first best of seven series in WNBA history. Mercury head coach Nate Tibbets says that’s pretty special.

"I think in a seven game series, you probably get annoyed with the other team even more, right, because you’re playing them more and they know your stuff better than you know it yourselves. You know, the cool thing about a seven game series is that typically the best team wins," Tibbets said.

The game starts at 5 p.m.

After Game 2 on Sunday in Vegas, the series comes to Phoenix for Games 3 and 4 on Oct. 8 and Oct. 10.