WNBA semifinals 2025: How Indiana beat Las Vegas in Game 1

Sunday begins Las vegas ekka star A’aza Wilson Is happening First player in league history to win four MVP awardsBut hours later, on the home court of the aces, number 6 seed Indiana fever His WNBA semi-final series game 1 stole, defeating 2-seded aces 89-73 Micelob in Ultra Arena.

Indiana Kelsey michelle In the victory, 12 -for -23 scored 34 points on shooting. He is the first fever player to score 30 points in a playoff game since 2012.

Wilson finished with 16 points, recalled his first six shots from the ground and finished 6–22 from the floor. After winning 17 consecutive games, ACES has now lost two of its last three (they have lost game 2 of their first round series with Seattle).

Here is how Indiana took a 1-0 lead in the series, which resumes on Tuesday (9:30 pm ET, ESPN).

How did Indiana stole game 1?

Indiana was a fast team and played more urgently than the initial tip. Fever backcourt’s aggressive game, mainly Michelle and Odissi simsSet a tone for which the aces are not ready. Indiana got confidence Atlanta dream Traveled to Las Vegas in the first round.

The aces had no response to Mitchell, even though the defensive assignment attracted. His 34 points were a playoff career high and came on shooting 12 -23, making one of the best playoff performances in the history of fever. Aces struggled to stay in front of Mitchell, which later opened a lot of shooting space. Mitchell made 4 of 6 3-point attempts. Sims presented almost several problems with 17 points on 7 -13 shoots for Las Vegas.

Wilson was struggling with the floor and the Las Vegas guards were unable to defend effectively, the aces did not have enough answers to remove the aggressive efficiency of Michelle, Indiana and 50% of the shooting. , Cream

How does Las Vegas respond in Tuesday’s Game 2?

Aces is going to tighten his defense. After finishing ninth in the WNBA in the Defense Rating during the onset of 14–14, Las Vegas improved to finish second during the line of victory, allowing less than a copy. The storm easily defeated the mark that was to snap the streak in the first round game 2, and the most ACES in possession of 1.11 points of fever has been allowed since its 53-point loss. Minnesota Links On 2 August.

In particular, Indiana engraved Las Vegas in paint, which had 50 points. Aces allows more than five times in all seasons only.

Other clear adjustments for Las Vegas have to go to Wilson. In the first round against Atlanta, Indiana did a strong job of removing 3-point opportunities for ACES, who tried just 17. The trade-off post stars single coverage against Wilson, yet fever held MVP for 6-22 shooting, her most missed shots in a playoff game.

We saw that there is a similar success to save Wilson 1 -On -1 in the Storm in the Storm. He responded with 38 points on 14 -26 shooting at the series clinic. , Pelton

History for Calsey Michelle Today: He scored the most points by a WNBA player in his first career semi -final game.

Through ESPN Research pic.twitter.com/wvv4xupxj

– Alexa Philipou (@Alexaphilippou) September 21, 2025

How does this change the series?

The best five format gives Las Vegas some margin for error. ACES lost 2020 semi -final game 1 Connecticut sun In five matches, a series, although the IMG Academy in Bradanton, Florida, was played on completely neutral courts.

The Las Vegas remains a favorite in the series, but Game 2 is now essentially a win for the aces. No team has returned from 2-0 hole to win the WNBA playoff series, and only one of 19 teams in that situation (2018 (2018) Phoenix mercuryIn the semi -finals against Seattle) is also forced to a game 5. , Pelton

During its 17-game winning streak, Aces defeated only three playoff teams on the road, Fanix, Atlanta, Golden State-Therefore, losing the benefits of the house-apprehension can make any difference. This dominance in Micelob Ultra is now gone, and Las Vegas knows that it should now win in Indiana. Meanwhile, the victory of fever also removes any perception that his two regular season win over Las Vegas was not worthwhile as Aces had yet to hit his strid. Indiana has now won three out of four matches between the two teams. , Cream