Aces tie series vs Fever: Physicality and controversy in the WNBA

In a match marked by intensity, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon has described the semi-final series against the Indiana Fever as “out of control” due to the high physical load. This followed Las Vegas’s victory in Game 2, where the score was 90-68, tying the best-of-five series.

You can push and grab a wide receiver in the NFL for the first five yards, but you can do it in the WNBA across the whole half-court. Putting two hands on someone like that should be an automatic foul. There’s no freedom of movement, there’s no freedom. And I’m not saying we don’t foul, I’m not saying that. I’m saying it’s out of control.

Becky Hammon, Aces coach

Game 2 saw 41 fouls, including 16 in the third quarter, while Game 1 recorded 27. The Aces made 21 free throws compared to the Fever’s 15. Hammon previously criticized the excessive physicality in the first-round series between the Fever and the Atlanta Dream, describing it as a “football game”. Fever coach Stephanie White also expressed her concern about the officiating in Game 2, although for different reasons.

It’s difficult for us to find fluidity when a foul is called every 10 seconds. It really is, and when they’re on the free throw line, we can’t go up and down the court, and that’s a challenge.

Stephanie White, Fever coach

The players from both teams acknowledged the physical nature of the playoffs.

It feels like a physical game in every match. I feel like I’ve been on the ground a little more in this series so far. We just keep getting back up.

Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever player

Yes, it’s playoffs. Very physical games. I feel like we just have to match the energy, day in and day out, and I feel like that’s what we did today.

After a disappointing Game 1, Hammon urged her players to be “a little more aggressive” for Game 2. The Aces managed to control the game from the start, leading by as much as 18 points in the first half. Although the Fever cut the deficit to six in the second quarter and to eight in the third, a 17-3 run by Las Vegas at the end of that period extended the Aces’ lead to 20, effectively securing the game. A’ja Wilson, after a discreet game, led the Aces with 25 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks. Las Vegas maintains an 11-0 playoff record when Wilson scores at least 25 points. Wilson, recently awarded her fourth MVP award, commented that the team’s performance in Game 1, where they lost by 16 points at home, was more embarrassing than the 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx earlier in the season.

I just think we came to work. We didn’t come to work in Game 1, and that’s on all of us. And I think in Game 2, we just decided to come to work.

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces player

White noted that her team reacted passively to the Aces’ increasing intensity. The Fever shot 41% and had 22 turnovers, with Kelsey Mitchell, their top scorer, limited to 13 points. On the other hand, Las Vegas shot 54%.

There were many things that are a little uncharacteristic of us, but you have to give them credit. They came out and put us on the ropes.

Stephanie White, Fever coach

The series will move to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4.