Fever Outshine Aces and A’ja Wilson to Claim Game One of Semi-Finals

In the opener of the WNBA Semi-Finals, Kelsey Mitchell powered the Indiana Fever with a 34-point performance, leading them to an 89-73 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on the road. Her outing set a record for the highest-scoring semi-final debut in league history. The win was also the Fever’s first-ever in Las Vegas since the Aces relocated there in 2018.

 

Fever’s Defense and Tempo Set the Tone

 

Indiana’s aggressive, high-paced style was the difference maker. Their defense consistently disrupted the Aces, forcing them out of rhythm. Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon admitted, “They won in all three categories. They played with more urgency, and we couldn’t match their pace.”

The Fever shot efficiently 50% from the field, 31% from three-point range, and 94% at the free-throw line, while also edging Las Vegas on the glass (35-33). They distributed the ball well with 17 assists compared to the Aces’ 12, and committed fewer turnovers (10 to 12).

 

Balanced Scoring on Both Sides

 

Mitchell shot 52% overall, drained four of six threes, and was perfect from the stripe. Odyssey Sims added 17 points, while Natasha Howard posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie star Aliyah Boston had a quiet scoring game but grabbed 11 boards.

For Las Vegas, Jackie Young led with 19 points and seven rebounds, while A’ja Wilson notched another double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds). Chelsea Gray chipped in 13 points, and Dana Evans scored 14.

 

Postgame Reactions

Fever head coach Stephanie White praised her team’s discipline: “We knew we had to limit their threes and force them to play one-on-one. Our attention to detail was really strong.”

She also highlighted Mitchell’s impact: “Kelsey is probably the fastest player in the league with the ball. She works for every shot and still delivers at an incredible efficiency. She’s put us on her back so many times, and today was another example. She’s the head of the snake for us, but she also elevates her teammates, which is why we’re seeing contributions across the board.”