In a nail-biting conclusion to their semifinal showdown, the Las Vegas Aces scraped past the Indiana Fever 88-85 in overtime during Game 5 on Tuesday night, securing their spot in the WNBA Finals for the third time in four years. The Fever, fighting valiantly despite injuries and underdog status, couldn't quite pull off another miracle after forcing the decider with a gritty 90-83 win in Game 4. A'ja Wilson, the league's MVP, once again proved unstoppable, dropping 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the charge for Las Vegas.
The series had been a rollercoaster from the start. Indiana stunned the Aces in Game 1 with an 89-73 victory at home, powered by Kelsey Mitchell's 22 points and Aliyah Boston's double-double of 18 points and 10 boards. But Las Vegas bounced back fiercely in Game 2, dismantling the Fever 90-68 behind Wilson's 25 points, exposing Indiana's defensive lapses. Game 3 saw the Aces extend their edge with an 84-72 win on the road, as Chelsea Gray dished out 10 assists to orchestrate the offense smoothly.
However, the Fever refused to fade. In Game 4, Boston erupted for 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Mitchell added 20, pushing Las Vegas to the brink. Game 5, back in Vegas, turned into a defensive slugfest. The score seesawed in the fourth quarter, with Indiana tying it at 75 on a clutch three from Mitchell. Overtime belonged to the Aces, though—Wilson's free throws and a key stop by the defense sealed it. Boston finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Fever, but it wasn't enough against the seasoned champions.
Odyssey Sims contributed modestly off the bench for Indiana with 8 points, while Natasha Howard saw limited action amid the Aces' rotations. The Fever's run, propelled by young stars like Boston and Mitchell, showcased their potential, even in defeat. As the Aces gear up for the Finals, one can't help but wonder how far this resilient Indiana squad might go next season.