The Phoenix Mercury had a chance to sneak a road win on Friday, but ultimately fell, 89-86 , to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

The Mercury have been in this position before, as they lost the first game in both the first round and semifinals. This, Kahleah Copper said postgame, has taught Phoenix how to bounce back stronger.

"Obviously that it doesn't matter. Not that it doesn't matter, but it's OK," she said when asked about what her team has learned. "This is a long series. I think the takeaway from those other first ones, the mindset was 'back to the drawing board.' We had the utmost confidence in our locker room and in our coaches to make the adjustments. Now it's the same thing."

Phoenix was

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