Kelsey Mitchell’s 34 Points Propel Indiana Fever to Convincing Game 1 Win Over Las Vegas Aces in WNBA Semifinals
In a dominant display on Sunday, the Indiana Fever stunned the favored Las Vegas Aces with an 89-73 victory in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. Led by Kelsey Mitchell’s career playoff-high 34 points, the Fever established early control and maintained their lead en route to taking a 1-0 series advantage.
The Fever’s triumph was notable not only for the scoreline but also for overcoming significant adversity throughout the season. Dealing with injuries to key players, Indiana has nonetheless impressed in the postseason and now stands just two wins away from reaching the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2015.
Mitchell’s Offensive Masterclass
Kelsey Mitchell, who finished fifth in the recent MVP voting, was the star of the afternoon at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Scoring 28 points before the fourth quarter, Mitchell’s relentless attack and efficient shooting paced the Fever’s offense. Her 34-point total was the second-highest by any Fever player in playoff history and marked the first time since 2012 that an Indiana player scored more than 30 points in a WNBA playoff game.
Mitchell’s performance included 4 three-pointers, 3 assists, and notable defensive contributions with 2 steals, highlighting her complete game impact. Alongside her, Odyssey Sims added 17 points with three assists and three steals, while Natasha Howard posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, further bolstering Indiana’s balanced effort.
Aces Struggle Despite A’ja Wilson’s Double-Double
The Las Vegas Aces came into the game riding a 17-game winning streak and looking to capture their third title in four years. Earlier that day, A’ja Wilson was honored with her fourth MVP award, setting high expectations. However, Wilson struggled throughout the game, missing her first six field goal attempts and eventually shooting an inefficient 6-of-22 from the field.
Aliyah Boston’s defense, described as “annoying” by Boston herself at halftime, was effective in limiting Wilson’s influence. Wilson finished with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds but was saddled with four fouls early in the third quarter, forcing her to play cautiously and limiting her overall effectiveness.
Game Flow and Tactical Edge
The Fever established control early on and never ceded the lead. Indiana’s defensive strategy included limiting the Aces to under eight three-pointers and winning the free-throw battle — both key elements coach Stephanie White emphasized pregame. This approach stifled the Aces’ rhythm, as they failed to find consistent scoring outside their star players.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s passing and team defense tightened as the game progressed, frustrating the Aces who struggled to generate open looks. The Fever held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter while maintaining composure against a desperate Las Vegas comeback attempt.
Looking Ahead
The Fever’s Game 1 win places them in a strong position to advance to the WNBA Finals. They will look to carry their momentum into Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET, where the Aces will seek to bounce back and even the series.
This semifinal matchup promises high intensity and strategic battles as both teams fight for a spot in the championship round. For now, Indiana Fever fans will celebrate a hard-earned victory powered by Kelsey Mitchell’s spectacular shooting and a unified team defensive effort.