The Las Vegas Aces are heading back to the WNBA Finals after outlasting the Indiana Fever 107-98 in a thrilling Game 5 overtime showdown at Michelob Ultra Arena on September 30, 2025. This winner-take-all semifinal battle had everything: historic performances, dramatic injuries, and wild momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats well into the night.
From the opening tip, it was clear both teams understood what was at stake—a shot at the championship and, for the Aces, a chance to cement their status as a modern dynasty. The Aces, led by reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson, were seeking their third title in four seasons, a feat not seen since the Minnesota Lynx’s dominant run earlier in the decade. The Fever, meanwhile, were fighting to overcome a season riddled with injuries, including the long-term absence of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
The first half set the tone for a back-and-forth affair. The Aces tried to pull away several times, but the Fever, relentless on the boards and gritty on defense, kept answering. Indiana’s rebounding edge was clear from the start—they finished with a 40-21 advantage—but their 19 turnovers would haunt them as the game wore on. At halftime, Las Vegas clung to a narrow 47-45 lead, with Wilson already tallying 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Jackie Young chipped in 12 points. For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell and Odyssey Sims led the way with 11 and 9 points, respectively, and Aliyah Boston was a force inside with 7 points and 7 rebounds despite early foul trouble.
The third quarter brought a turning point—and heartbreak for the Fever. With 5:05 left in the period, Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana’s leading scorer to that point with 15, went down clutching her knee after draining a three-pointer. The arena fell silent as medical staff rushed to her side. Though she refused a stretcher and was helped off the court, the Fever quickly ruled her out for the rest of the game. According to the reporting, "Mitchell, who was spotted reaching toward her knee after hitting a 3-pointer on the other end, suddenly went down under the basket during a stoppage of play. Players and staff ran over and immediately covered the scene up with towels, and she was down for quite some time." Fever fans everywhere held their breath, knowing how much Mitchell meant to their playoff hopes.
Despite the emotional blow, Indiana refused to fold. The Aces pushed their lead to as many as eight late in the third, but the Fever kept grinding, feeding off the spark provided by Odyssey Sims, who finished with a team-high 27 points and 6 assists. Natasha Howard (16 points), Shey Peddy (13), and Lexie Hull (12) all stepped up, but turnovers continued to plague their offense. Boston, battling foul trouble all night, would ultimately foul out in the fourth quarter after posting a monster stat line of 11 points and 16 rebounds.
As the fourth quarter ticked down, Las Vegas seemed poised to close it out, but Indiana had other ideas. The Fever erased a nine-point deficit in the final minutes, with Sims tying the game at 84 on a pair of free throws with just under a minute to play. Moments later, Young put the Aces back in front with two clutch free throws, only for Sims to answer with a driving layup. Young then missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer, sending the contest into overtime tied at 86.
Overtime belonged to the Aces’ veterans. Chelsea Gray, who had been relatively quiet until then, took over with a dazzling display of shot-making. She drilled back-to-back three-pointers early in the extra period, then hit a wild, off-balance triple as the shot clock expired. Jewell Loyd added another from deep, and suddenly the Aces were back in control. According to reports, "Chelsea Gray has 8 points in OT, including a pair of 3-pointers and Jewell Loyd adds another." With just over a minute left, Gray sliced through the defense for a layup, pushing the lead to six and putting the game out of reach for Indiana.
When the final buzzer sounded, Wilson had poured in 35 points (on 13-of-27 shooting), grabbed 8 rebounds, handed out 5 assists, and added 4 steals and 4 blocks—an MVP performance by any measure. Young wasn’t far behind, racking up 32 points and 10 assists. Together, they made WNBA history as the first duo to each score 30 points in a single playoff game. As noted in the coverage, "They are now the first duo in WNBA history to each put up 30 points in a single playoff game." Gray finished with 17 points, much of it coming in the most crucial moments.
For the Fever, the loss stung—not just because it ended their season, but because it came after such a valiant effort. Sims’ 27 points led the way, while Boston’s double-double and Howard’s steady scoring kept them afloat. Indiana dominated the glass but simply couldn’t overcome their turnover woes or the absence of their injured stars. Their starting lineup—Mitchell, Howard, Boston, Hull, and Sims—fought until the very end, but it wasn’t enough.
Injuries have been a storyline all season for Indiana. Besides Mitchell’s heartbreaking exit in Game 5, the team has been without Caitlin Clark for months, and other key contributors like Damiris Dantis, Sophie Cunningham, and Aari McDonald were sidelined as well. Even so, the Fever’s resilience shone through, pushing the defending champs to the brink in a hostile environment.
With the win, Las Vegas advances to face the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, starting Friday, October 3. The Mercury, who dispatched the Minnesota Lynx in four games, are seeking their first championship since 2014. For the Aces, it’s a shot at a third crown in four years—a run reminiscent of the great Lynx teams earlier in the 2010s. If Wilson and company can finish the job, their place in league history will be secure.
As for Indiana, the offseason begins with plenty of questions—chief among them, the status of Kelsey Mitchell’s knee and the health of the roster. But after a campaign marked by adversity and grit, there’s no doubt the Fever will be back, hungrier than ever, when next season tips off.
The Aces, meanwhile, have little time to celebrate. With the Finals just days away, they’ll need to regroup, recover, and prepare for another battle against the Mercury. One thing’s for sure: if Game 5 was any indication, WNBA fans are in for a Finals series to remember.
