In a nail-biting finish that went down to the wire, the Las Vegas Aces outlasted the Indiana Fever 88-85 in overtime during Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals on Tuesday night. The victory sends the Aces back to the Finals for the third time in four years, while the plucky Fever's remarkable playoff run comes to an end. A'ja Wilson, as usual, was a force, dropping 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead her squad through the chaos.
The Fever, fighting elimination for the third straight time this postseason, showed real grit early on. Aliyah Boston powered inside with 18 points and 10 boards, keeping Indiana in it despite missing key players to injuries. Kelsey Mitchell lit up from deep, scoring 22 points on efficient shooting, but it wasn't enough against Las Vegas' veteran poise. Chelsea Gray orchestrated the offense masterfully for the Aces, dishing out 8 assists while chipping in 14 points—her steady hand proving decisive in the extra period.
However, the game wasn't without its rough edges. Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon drew a technical late in regulation for arguing a call, which only fueled the Fever's brief surge. Indiana tied it at 78 with under a minute left, thanks to a clutch three from Mitchell. But in overtime, the Aces clamped down defensively, forcing turnovers that Odyssey Sims couldn't quite convert on the other end— she finished with just 6 points on a tough night. Indeed, the Fever's bench depth was tested, and it showed in the final minutes.
Moreover, Wilson's dominance highlighted the gap between the teams; her ability to score through contact wore down Boston over time. The Aces shot 47% from the field overall, edging Indiana's 44%. Rebounds were even at 38 apiece, but Las Vegas turned theirs into 14 second-chance points. For the Fever, this loss stings after their Cinderella story— from sixth seed to semifinals—but it underscores the Aces' championship pedigree.
Game 5 drew over 18,000 fans to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a testament to the league's growing buzz. As the Aces prepare to face the conference finals winner, questions linger about their depth without full health. What does this mean for the Fever's young core moving forward?