After stumbling in Game 1 at home of the WNBA Playoffs semifinals, the Las Vegas Aces roared back with authority, defeating the Indiana Fever 90-68 in Game 2 – and A’ja Wilson certainly played her part.
The win not only tied the series at one game apiece but also re-established Las Vegas as the powerhouse they have been all season.
At the heart of the turnaround was Wilson, who produced another MVP-caliber showing with 25 points, nine rebounds, and five steals – a new playoff career-high.
This emphatic response from the defending champions was exactly what was needed. The Fever had stunned the Aces with a convincing Game 1 win, leaving questions about their ability to handle adversity. In Game 2, those doubts were answered as Wilson and her teammates dominated on both ends of the floor.
Wilson’s command sets the tone
Wilson’s performance was as complete as it was commanding. Her 25 points were scored with her usual blend of post dominance and mid-range efficiency, but it was her work on defense that stood out most.
By snatching five steals – more than any playoff game in her career – she turned defense into offense and set the tone for the team’s energy. Every time Indiana looked to mount a response, Wilson seemed to be in the right place to cut them off.
She wasn’t alone in steadying the Aces. NaLyssa Smith played one of her most balanced games of the postseason, adding 18 points and seven rebounds.
Jackie Young also delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Together, the trio gave Las Vegas the depth it lacked in Game 1 and ensured the Fever couldn’t simply key in on Wilson.
Offensively, the Aces moved the ball with greater rhythm than in the opening contest, hitting timely shots while controlling the paint. Defensively, they tightened their rotations and disrupted Indiana’s offensive flow, holding the Fever to just 68 points – a stark contrast to the free-flowing scoring they managed in the first matchup.
The Fever fall short but have hope
Indiana, who were still without their star player Caitlin Clark, showed flashes of why they made it this far.
Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston found ways to generate offense, but their production wasn’t enough to offset the Fever’s turnover struggles or Las Vegas’ hot shooting stretches.
The Fever now face the challenge of regrouping on their home court for Game 3, knowing that Wilson is operating at peak form.
For Wilson, this performance adds yet another layer to an already historic résumé. Fresh off becoming the first player in WNBA history to secure four MVP awards, she continues to raise her level when the stakes are highest.
Her Game 2 dominance underlined why she’s widely considered the most unstoppable force in the league-capable of tilting an entire series through sheer will and skill.
As the series shifts to Indiana, the storyline is simple: can the Fever adjust, or will Wilson and the Aces continue to impose their will? Las Vegas reminded everyone in Game 2 that their championship credentials remain intact.
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