The Las Vegas Aces have punched their ticket back to the WNBA Finals after an electrifying 107-98 overtime victory against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night at Michelob Ultra Arena. This intense Game 5 semifinal triumph propels them into a best-of-seven championship series against the Phoenix Mercury.
Should reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson lead the Aces to victory, it would mark their third championship in four seasons – a remarkable run of dominance not witnessed since the Minnesota Lynx secured four titles between 2011 and 2017.
Wilson and Jackie Young delivered an unforgettable performance for Las Vegas, etching their names into the WNBA record books. Wilson amassed an impressive 35 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 13-of-27 from the field. Young contributed 32 points and 10 assists, making them the first duo in WNBA history to each score 30 points in a single playoff game. This outing also marked Wilson’s eighth career 30-point playoff game, tying the league record, and her second 35-point effort in a series-deciding contest.
Despite the Fever's valiant effort to erase a late, near-double-digit deficit, it was Chelsea Gray who seized control in the extra period. Gray, alongside Jewell Lloyd, sank crucial back-to-back three-pointers early in overtime. Gray then followed with a spectacular off-balance trey as the shot clock expired, and later sealed the deal with a clutch layup that pushed the Aces' lead to six with just over a minute remaining, effectively putting the Fever away.
The Aces will now face the Phoenix Mercury, who reached their first WNBA Finals since 2021 by defeating the Lynx in Game 4. The Mercury last hoisted the championship trophy in 2014. Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for Friday night at 8 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.
Throughout the regulation game, the Aces repeatedly attempted to build a comfortable lead, but the resilient Fever consistently responded, entering halftime down by only two points despite committing nine turnovers. Las Vegas finally began to create separation in the third quarter, briefly holding a seven-point advantage, but play was halted by a concerning knee injury to Fever star Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell, who had just hit a three-pointer, collapsed under the basket during a stoppage and was eventually helped off the court without putting weight on her leg, ruled out for the remainder of the game with a team-high 15 points at the time.
While Mitchell's injury seemed to dampen the Fever's spirit momentarily, they regrouped. The Aces closed the third quarter with an eight-point lead, but Indiana clawed back within a possession after Odyssey Sims' short bank shot and subsequent free throws tied the game with under a minute left. The Fever had mounted a significant 21-13 run in the fourth quarter.
High drama unfolded in the final seconds of regulation. Young missed a potential go-ahead layup but drew a foul on Aliyah Boston while battling for the rebound. The foul, upheld after a challenge, was Boston's sixth, sidelining her. Young converted both free throws, but Sims countered with an uncontested layup just four seconds later. Young’s last-second attempt to win the game at the buzzer fell short, sending the contest into overtime.
Sims was exceptional for Indiana, leading her team with 27 points and 6 assists on 7-of-14 shooting. Boston contributed 11 points and 16 rebounds before fouling out, while Lexie Hull added 12 points and 7 rebounds. The Fever have navigated a challenging season plagued by injuries, including the long-term absence of star Caitlin Clark, and Mitchell's injury would have undoubtedly compounded their difficulties had they advanced to the Finals. Despite not exhibiting the same dominant form as their 16-game regular-season win streak, the Aces have once again proven their championship mettle, finding a way to compete for another title.
---
Originally published at: https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/live/wnba-playoffs-2025-aja-wilson-aces-fend-off-fever-in-overtime-to-reach-wnba-finals-003009582.html
