The Las Vegas Aces secured their spot in the WNBA Finals with a thrilling 107-98 overtime victory against the Indiana Fever, thanks in large part to the outstanding performances of A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, who combined to score 67 points. This marks the Aces’ fourth trip to the Finals in six seasons and their third in four years under head coach Becky Hammon, with previous championships to their credit.
The Aces’ journey to the Finals has been anything but straightforward. After struggling with a sub-.500 record as recently as July 25, the team displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming numerous challenges to secure the No. 2 seed by finishing the regular season on a 16-game winning streak. They outlasted the Seattle Storm in a thrilling opening round before facing the short-handed Fever, who dealt with significant injuries affecting key players like Caitlin Clark and leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell.
“This season feels different because we went through the mud for this,” Wilson stated, emphasizing the team’s growth amid adversity. Hammon echoed this sentiment, jokingly referencing the journey’s twists and turns while expressing pride in her team’s progress.
Throughout the game, Wilson notched an impressive 35 points, along with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks, solidifying her status alongside WNBA legends. Young made history by becoming the first player to register at least 30 points and 10 assists in a winner-take-all playoff game, doing so without committing a turnover.
Despite the contributions from Wilson and Young, the Aces faced a fierce challenge from the Fever, who continued to battle even after losing multiple players to injuries, including Mitchell due to cramping. The game was tightly contested, culminating in a dramatic finish where the Aces could not convert a final possession in regulation, requiring overtime to determine the victor.
In the extra period, Las Vegas leaned on the contributions of their role players. Chelsea Gray made a crucial comeback from an ankle injury to score effectively, while Jewell Loyd added vital points, helping the team seal the win despite Wilson and Young scoring only from the free-throw line.
Next, the Aces prepare to face the No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA’s inaugural best-of-seven Finals, starting with Game 1 on Friday. Their path this season may have been more arduous, but the team remains committed and hopeful for another championship title. “To get here was not easy,” Gray remarked. “We’ve worked so hard to fight for home court advantage.” The Aces are determined to translate their hard-earned success into yet another championship run.