Fever Shocks Aces: Mitchell Shines and Steals Playoff Advantage in WNBA

Fever Shocks Aces in Semifinals Game One

In a game marked by the celebration of A’ja Wilson’s fourth MVP trophy, the Indiana Fever silenced the Las Vegas Aces’ fans, taking the victory in the first game of the WNBA semifinals. The number 6 team, Fever, defeated number 2, Aces, with a score of 89-73, giving the current champions their second loss in the last 20 games and taking away their home-court advantage. Indiana, which started as an underdog by 8.5 points, achieved the biggest upset in the WNBA playoff semifinals since 2017. The 16-point difference suffered by the Aces was the largest in a game since their 53-point loss to the Lynx on August 2, before their 17-game winning streak. This was also the largest home defeat in the playoffs since the second game of the 2021 semi-finals and the largest in any playoff game since the third game of the 2022 Finals.

They played with a greater sense of urgency. We couldn’t match their pace.

Becky Hammon, Aces coach

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 34 points, the most in a WNBA semifinal debut and the second most in franchise playoff history.

Clearly, we had no answer for Mitchell. She scored all the shots… She had a hot night and we let her keep going.

Becky Hammon, Aces coach

Indiana controlled much of the game, imposing its rhythm and outperforming the Aces in transition. In addition to Mitchell, Odyssey Sims (17 points) and Natasha Howard (12 points, 11 rebounds) were key. Indiana had 50% field goal accuracy, compared to 41% for Las Vegas.

We wanted to be the aggressors from the start, to make sure we were dictating on defense and from the pace.

Stephanie White, Fever coach

The Aces managed to get within three points in the third quarter, but Indiana responded with a 13-0 run that sealed the victory. The Fever led for 33 minutes, including the entire second half. Indiana, which did not have Caitlin Clark and five other players due to injury, has won three consecutive playoff games, including two in direct elimination situations and six of its last seven games.

Our group was incredible. We were resilient… I’m proud of our group.

Kelsey Mitchell, Fever player

Mitchell’s outstanding performance, which included a crucial three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, was the most memorable of his brilliant postseason. His 104 points in these playoffs are the most in a four-game span in franchise history.

I’m just trying to keep it in basketball. I think what they see is that I’m just trying to be a kid on the playground, I guess.

Kelsey Mitchell, Fever player

There have been many times this season when she’s carried us on her shoulders and taken us… She’s a tough shooter.

Stephanie White, Fever coach

Despite the Aces’ defensive difficulty, Wilson had a night below her standards. Although she managed 12 points and 11 rebounds at halftime, she only made 6 of 22 field goals and scored only four points in the second half. According to ESPN Tracking and GeniusIQ, Wilson went 2-of-11 against Indiana’s Aliyah Boston, Wilson’s worst field goal percentage against a defender in a playoff game in the last five seasons. Hammon considered her team to be “ultra, ultra stagnant” on offense, and although Wilson tends to bounce back well from bad games, “it depends on the rest of us to support her.” The Aces’ next opportunity will be in the second game, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET.