The Las Vegas Aces have secured their place in the WNBA Finals for the third time in four seasons, triumphing over the Indiana Fever in a dramatic 107-98 overtime victory during their winner-take-all semifinal Game 5. This thrilling contest made history as only the second instance in WNBA playoffs where a deciding Game 5 has extended into an extra period.
Looking ahead, the Aces are now set to face the Phoenix Mercury in the championship series, with the much-anticipated Game 1 scheduled for Friday night in Las Vegas.
The Aces' hard-fought win was fueled by outstanding individual performances. A'ja Wilson delivered a dominant display, recording an impressive 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Jackie Young was equally pivotal, contributing 30 points and 10 assists. In the high-pressure overtime, Chelsea Gray, bravely playing through an ankle injury, and Jewell Loyd rose to the occasion, sinking critical shots that ultimately propelled their team across the finish line.
For the Indiana Fever, an already injury-plagued season reached a heartbreaking conclusion. Their challenges mounted further when star guard Kelsey Mitchell sustained an apparent knee injury in the third quarter. Adding to their woes, key player Aliyah Boston fouled out late in regulation, forcing the Fever to navigate the entire overtime period severely shorthanded. These compounding disadvantages ultimately proved too great for the resilient but depleted Indiana squad to overcome.
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Originally published at: https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/aces-vs-fever-live-updates-score-highlights-from-game-5-with-spot-in-wnba-finals-on-the-line/live/
