Two players to watch in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals

The GIST: You already know the Las Vegas Aces boast a two-game lead over the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, which are best-of-seven for the first time. With Game 3 set for tonight at 8 p.m. ET, watch out for a pair of difference makers hellbent on hoops glory.

🃏 Vegas’ Jackie Young changes the game with her two-way play: Excelling on offense and defense night in and night out is no easy feat. Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson might be the team’s heart, but Young’s been the adrenaline that keeps it pumping this playoff run. She’s been clinical in the postseason’s biggest moments, with everything from series-winning buckets to record-breaking quarters.

🪐 Satou Sabally could be key to Mercury comeback: Perennial MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas hasn’t been herself in the Finals, but Sabally might be the unicorn who turns the tides. Phoenix has struggled shooting the ball — they made just 18% of their three-pointers in Game 2 — but when Sabally’s hot, the Mercury are scorching: Phoenix is 20-7 when she shoots at least 30% from three.

☝️ One more thing: The W’s off-court saga — or “growing pains,” as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called it — continued on Monday when Silver weighed in on the ongoing tension between WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the league office, and the players.

• While Silver’s confident a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached despite the looming October 31st deadline, he also acknowledged “there’s lots of work to be done” and “relationship issues” that need to be addressed. Something everyone can agree on.