The Las Vegas Aces have punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals for the third time in four seasons, triumphing over a resilient Indiana Fever squad in a grueling five-game semifinal series. The Aces clinched their spot with a hard-fought 107-98 overtime victory on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, setting the stage for an anticipated championship showdown against the Phoenix Mercury, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday.
Las Vegas’s journey through the semifinals was a testament to their seasoned roster and collective depth, despite being pushed to the brink by an injury-depleted yet utterly determined Fever team. In the decisive Game 5, the Aces’ star power shone brightest. A’ja Wilson delivered a monumental performance, registering 35 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals, and four blocks, showcasing her all-around dominance. She received pivotal support from guard Jackie Young, who contributed 32 points and 10 assists on an efficient 10-of-20 shooting. Together, Wilson and Young made history, becoming the first duo in WNBA playoff history to each score 30 or more points in a single postseason game. Crucially, guard Chelsea Gray added eight of her 17 points in overtime, sinking two critical 3-pointers to secure the Aces’ progression.
Their championship quest will now lead them to face the Phoenix Mercury, a team that sensationally upset the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx to earn their first Finals berth since 2021. The Mercury’s current roster represents a new era, having moved beyond the foundational duo of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner to feature a new 'Big Three' in Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper. This revamped Phoenix squad demonstrated remarkable fourth-quarter surges against the Lynx, notably outscoring them 56-30 in the final periods of Games 2 and 3, and 31-13 in Game 4, leveraging aggressive defense to ignite their offensive rhythm.
Despite the Aces holding a 3-1 regular-season record against the Mercury, head coach Becky Hammon anticipates a challenging yet 'fun' championship series, emphasizing her team’s immediate focus on preparation after a short break. Experience is likely to be a significant factor; while players like Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner bring prior Finals experience against the Aces from their time with the Connecticut Sun in 2022, Las Vegas’s consistent presence in recent Finals may offer a psychological edge.
The Aces’ path to this year’s Finals has been particularly distinctive. After a rare losing record at the All-Star break—a first since Wilson’s rookie campaign in 2018—they mounted an extraordinary 16-game winning streak to close the regular season, establishing a new league record for ending a campaign. As Wilson reflected on their challenging journey, she stated, "It does definitely feel a lot different than the ones before only because we went through the mud for this one."
Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever, though ultimately defeated, provided an inspiring showing in the semifinals. Grappling with five season-ending injuries, including the loss of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell’s mid-game exit due to severe cramping, the Fever pushed the Aces to their absolute limits. Even without Aliyah Boston, who fouled out, guard Odyssey Sims led Indiana with 27 points, embodying the team’s unyielding spirit. Coach Stephanie White lauded her team as an "incredible example" of perseverance and unity.
Ultimately, it is the Las Vegas Aces who have emerged victorious from this intense playoff crucible, now poised to contend for another WNBA championship against a surging Phoenix Mercury squad in what promises to be an enthralling series.
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Originally published at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6678725/2025/10/01/las-vegas-aces-wnba-finals-indiana-fever-phoenix-mercury/
