The Las Vegas Aces needed five periods to dispatch the injury-riddled but relentless Indiana Fever to return to the WNBA Finals. The deeper and more experienced Aces received dominating and clutch performances from their stars for the 107-98 overtime victory on Tuesday night in Las Vegas to make it back to their third finals in four seasons.
The Aces will begin their best-of-seven championship series against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 on Friday. The Mercury advanced by upsetting the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx, who were trying to return to the finals in consecutive seasons.
Though the Fever took the Aces to the brink in decisive Game 5 of the semifinals on Friday, their star power took over – something the Mercury likely took note of. Aja Wilson finished the thriller with 35 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocks. There was little she didnt do to ensure a trip to the finals.
Aces guard Jackie Young finished with 32 points and 10 assists on 10-of-20 shooting. Young and Wilson became the first duo in WNBA history to score at least 30 points in the same playoff game. Guard Chelsea Gray scored eight of her 17 points in overtime, splashing two critical 3-pointers. Jewell Loyd grabbed four offensive rebounds, with every extra possession mattering in a contest with such slim margins as the Fever refused to wilt.
We have a special group here, Aces coach Becky Hammon said.
The Mercury will be another gritty opponent for them.
Phoenix is back in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021. Their roster features only two returning players from last years team. The core of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner turned over in the offseason and gave way to a new Big Three of Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper.
The Mercury outscored the Lynx in the semifinals 56-30 in the fourth quarters of Games 2 and 3, both Phoenix wins. In Game 4 on Sunday, the Mercury outscored Minnesota 31-13 in the final quarter, using their frenetic, aggressive defense to stifle the Lynx and create freer offensive possessions on the other end.Aces coach Becky Hammon didnt get into the specifics of facing the Mercury but she said she expects the series to be fun.
Hammon said she would give the Aces Wednesday morning off. But by noon, preparations would fully commence. The Aces went 3-1 against the Mercury in the regular season. But Phoenix appears to be clicking at the perfect time, gaining valuable experience with every contest.
Experience could be an important factor for both teams. The Mercury have players who competed in the finals. Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner played for the Connecticut Sun, who lost to the Aces in the 2022 Finals. But Phoenixs franchise profile pales in comparison to Las Vegas.
This years journey to the finals was unique for Las Vegas. The Aces had a losing record at the All-Star break for the first time since Wilsons rookie season in 2018. But they went on to close the regular season on a 16-game winning streak, the longest to end a season in league history.
It does definitely feel a lot different than the ones before only because we went through the mud for this one, Wilson said.
The Aces have emerged from the soil with a place in the WNBA Finals. Every game, every possession that we play gets us ready for the next, Wilson said.
The Aces were certainly tested by the Fever in the grueling semifinals, which it won 3-2.
Las Vegas had to consistently keep shaking off the Fever, who continued to rally despite trailing by as many as nine points in the second half. The performance was indicative of Indianas never-quit season, in which it defied odds by going the distance against the Aces despite five season-ending injuries, including the loss of Caitlin Clark. Guard Kelsey Mitchell was helped off the court in the second quarter of Game 5 and received treatment at a hospital for severe cramping, coach Stephanie White said.
The Fever also had to endure the end of regulation and overtime without Aliyah Boston, who fouled out.
Guard Odyssey Sims led the Fever with 27 points as Indianas patchwork roster fought until the final buzzer.
Its an incredible group of women, an incredibly connected group, White said. Theyre a great example to everybody of what it means to just put one foot in front of the other, to preserve, to welcome people into the fold, to not give into circumstance, to lead with grace and dignity, to sacrifice for a great good. Im so thankful to coach these women.
But it is the Aces, not Fever, who are moving on.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Indiana Fever, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, WNBA
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