WNBA Finals Game 4 live updates: Aces vs. Mercury - ESPN

In the first best-of-seven series in WNBA history, the Phoenix Mercury are attempting to do something that no team has ever done in the WNBA or NBA: Climb out of an 0-3 hole in the Finals.

They have shown signs of life in this series, with two of the three games decided by a combined five points. Now, their path to extending the series becomes even harder without forward Satou Sabally, who has been ruled out of Friday's game with a concussion.

ESPN's reporters are tracking and analyzing all of the action as it happens.

With Satou Sabally sidelined, what adjustments could the Mercury make? Who has to step up?

Alexa Philippou: The Mercury could start either Bonner or Sami Whitcomb in place of Sabally, or both could get the nod if Natasha Mack comes off the bench. That's the lineup Phoenix closed with after Sabally went down, with Whitcomb checking in for Sabally and Mack sitting the whole second half in place of Bonner.

While Bonner had her most impactful showing of the series with 25 points in Game 3, including five straight for Phoenix to close the game, Whitcomb has been a nonfactor against Las Vegas. She has scored just six points on 2-for-16 shooting this series and hasn't gotten on the board since Game 1. The Mercury could definitely use her scoring punch from deep to regain some juice offensively.

Kendra Andrews: Alexa is right that the Mercury need more from their bench, but there is added pressure on Thomas and Kahleah Copper.

For much of these playoffs, the Mercury have gone as Thomas — their «engine» — has gone. And so far against the Aces, she hasn't had the same level of dominance she had heading into the Finals. Her postseason averages of 18.6 points and 9.1 assists fell to 13.0 points and 7.7 assists in