(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Kelsey Mitchell Shines With 34 Points as Indiana Fever Stun Las Vegas Aces in WNBA Semifinals
Kelsey Mitchell delivered the performance of her playoff career, scoring 34 points to lead the Indiana Fever to a commanding 89-73 win over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinal series on Sunday.
Fever Seize Control in Game 1
The Aces had cut a double-digit deficit to just three points late in the third quarter, but the Fever responded in style. Indiana closed the period on an 11-0 run, building a 14-point cushion that proved decisive. From there, the Fever never looked back.
Mitchell Leads the Charge
Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting this season, set the tone early with 17 first-half points. She finished the night shooting an efficient 12-of-23 (52.2%) from the floor, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
“I think what you guys see is just me trying to just be a kid in the playground,” Mitchell said after her historic performance, which was the second-highest scoring mark in franchise playoff history.
Odyssey Sims added 17 points, while Natasha Howard notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Fever Outshoot Aces
Indiana’s offense clicked all night, hitting 50% of their shots (34-of-68) compared to just 40.8% (29-of-71) for Las Vegas.
Coach Stephanie White credited her team’s aggressive approach:
“We wanted to come in and be the aggressor right away to make sure we were dictating on both ends. They made a run, but we responded with a big one. To steal this one on the road was huge for us.”
A’ja Wilson’s MVP Night Spoiled
The Fever victory overshadowed a milestone moment for A’ja Wilson, who became the first player in WNBA history to win four MVP awards. Wilson, also named AP Player of the Year, finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds but shot just 6-of-22 (27.3%) from the field.
Jackie Young led the Aces with 19 points, Dana Evans added 14 off the bench, and Chelsea Gray chipped in with 13.
Aces’ Home Streak Snapped
Las Vegas had not lost at home since August 2, when they suffered a historic 53-point defeat to Minnesota. Since then, they had rattled off a 16-game win streak before Sunday’s setback.
Adding to Indiana’s achievement, the Fever managed the upset despite missing six key players, including Caitlin Clark and Damiris Dantas.
What’s Next?
The Fever now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series as the action shifts to Game 2 in Las Vegas. With momentum on their side, Mitchell and the Fever will look to push the defending champions to the brink, while the Aces will aim to bounce back and defend their home court.
