By the end of their tense first-round series, the Las Vegas Aces looked less like a team cruising through the playoffs and more like one surviving on grit and star power.
The Seattle Storm pushed them to the limit, and only a career night from A’ja Wilson and a decisive late play by Jackie Young secured their passage to the semifinals. That effort sets up a high-stakes clash with the Indiana Fever, who have been riding the unstoppable form of Kelsey Mitchell.
The Aces opened their postseason with a statement win, routing the Storm in Game 1. But that dominance did not last. Seattle regrouped, answering with an 86-83 victory in Game 2 that shifted momentum and raised questions about whether Las Vegas could respond under pressure.
The decisive third game provided an answer, though not without drama. Wilson carried the Aces with 38 points, a new playoff career high, yet the defining moment came with less than 15 seconds left when Young grabbed an offensive rebound off Wilson‘s miss and banked in the go-ahead basket. Her quick reaction turned what could have been the end of Las Vegas’ season into a 74-73 clincher.
For a roster that many believed would breeze through the opening round, the Storm proved to be a stubborn obstacle. Now the Aces turn their attention to Indiana, a team brimming with confidence after a turbulent but inspiring campaign.
Wilson highlights Mitchell as Fever’s focal point
Asked about the challenge ahead, Wilson made clear that slowing Kelsey Mitchell will be central to Las Vegas’ strategy.
“Our biggest one is just going to be containing the basketball without fouling. I mean, Kelsey Mitchell‘s having one heck of a year and, uh, it’s going to be hard to slow her down, but it’s not going to be just me and Jackie. It’s going to have to take all of us on the defensive end. And that’s what we’re going to have to really lock in on – just playing defense the right way and being on time and having layers to it. That’s what’s going to be my initial thought, and I’m sure Becky will probably say the same,” Wilson said.
Mitchell has been Indiana’s anchor through a season defined by injuries. With stars like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham sidelined at various points, the eighth-year guard delivered her best professional season, averaging more than 20 points while becoming the first WNBA player to record at least 100 three-pointers in three different campaigns. Her consistency kept the Fever in playoff contention and has now carried them to the semifinals.
The Aces have first-hand experience with her impact. In their most recent meeting, Mitchell’s 21 points powered Indiana to an 80-70 win without Clark available. She has carried that form into the postseason, averaging 23 points per game in a three-game series against Atlanta.
For Las Vegas, the key will be replicating the defensive schemes that recently limited her to 14 points against the Valkyries. That approach involved collective pressure and timely rotations rather than relying on a single matchup, the very blueprint Wilson emphasized.
Read the full article here
