In a nail-biting finish that stretched into overtime, the Las Vegas Aces outlasted the Indiana Fever 92-89 on Tuesday night, clinching their spot in the WNBA Finals for the third time in four years. A'ja Wilson, the league's MVP, was unstoppable once again, dropping 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the charge. The Fever, playing without their star rookie sidelined by injury, fought valiantly but couldn't overcome the Aces' late-game poise.
Game 5 unfolded with the intensity expected from a do-or-die matchup. Indiana jumped out to an early lead, powered by Aliyah Boston's double-double of 18 points and 10 boards, while Kelsey Mitchell lit up the scoreboard with 22 points, including a flurry of threes that had the home crowd roaring. Yet, the Aces responded with Chelsea Gray's steady hand at point guard, dishing out 8 assists and scoring 14 points in the clutch. Indeed, Las Vegas trailed by as much as 10 in the third quarter, but Wilson's dominance in the paint—coupled with timely buckets from Odyssey Sims off the bench—flipped the script.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. Fever's Nalyssa Smith added 12 points and some gritty defense, but turnovers proved costly down the stretch. Moreover, the Aces capitalized on Indiana's fatigue, forcing overtime where they sealed the deal with a 7-2 run. Final stats showed Las Vegas shooting 47% from the field against Indiana's 43%, and they held the edge on the boards, 38-34. It was a gritty performance from a team that's been to the finals before, showing why they're perennial contenders.
However, the Fever's run this postseason can't be understated. From underdogs to forcing a Game 5, players like Mitchell and Boston carried the load amid injuries. The Aces now await their Finals opponent, likely facing the Connecticut Sun or whoever emerges from the other bracket. For Indiana, it's a heartbreaking end, but one that hints at brighter days ahead.
As the dust settles on this semifinal saga, one wonders how the league's rising stars will reshape the Finals landscape next season.