They showed up in Vegas and flipped the script. Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals was supposed to be A’ja Wilson’s coronation night: fresh off winning her fourth MVP, playing at home, with expectations high.

Instead, what people will remember is Kelsey Mitchell torching everyone, Indiana’s underdog spirit, and even a sidelined Caitlin Clark chiming in with praise. The Fever shocked the Las Vegas Aces 89‑73, and it all started with Mitchell’s 34‑point masterclass.

Mitchell was in rhythm from the first quarter. She dropped 17 in the first half, slicing through Aces defense, hitting outside shots and mixing pull‑ups with drives to the rim. Her shooting was sharp: 12 of 23 from the field (about 52.2%), 4 of 6 from deep.

 She didn’t just score when open—she created space, drew defensive attention, and made the Aces pay when they collapsed. She made the crowd gasp, the bench rise, and the Aces scramble.

Indiana’s game plan was clear: pressure A’ja Wilson, disrupt her rhythm, force the supporting cast to beat them. And for a lot of the night, they succeeded. Wilson finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, but shot just 6 of 22 from the field (27.3%), far less efficient than MVP‐caliber nights.

 While Wilson did her part on the boards, her offensive flow got stymied repeatedly. Indiana’s defense rotated, collapsed, challenged, and made her work for every point.

But it wasn’t all defense. Mitchell’s performance was buoyed by solid help from teammates. Odyssey Sims added 17 points, Natasha Howard grabbed 11 boards and deposited 12 points for a double‑double. Indiana shot 50% from the field as a team (34 of 68), while Las Vegas managed only about 40.8% (29 of 71).

There was a turning point in the third quarter. Indiana’s lead had shrunk to just three points with about 2:51 left in the period. That’s when the Fever took over.

They closed that quarter on an 11‑0 run, pushing their lead to 14 and taking control. After that, Vegas rarely threatened. Indiana’s energy, defense, and shooting kept widening the gap.

For the Aces, it was a tough night. Jackie Young led them with 19 points, while Dana Evans put in 14 off the bench and Chelsea Gray added 13. But none of them could counterbalance Mitchell’s barrage or make up for Wilson’s off shooting.

What made the win even more impressive: Indiana was massively shorthanded. They were without six players — key contributors including their star rookie Caitlin Clark, sidelined with a right groin injury; also missing were Chloe Bibby, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, plus Damiris Dantas in concussion protocol. Despite that, they came in as aggressive underdogs and played like they believed.

Establishing momentum from the tip seems to be what Mitchell and head coach Stephanie White emphasized. Coach White told press that Indiana wanted to be the aggressor from the outset, to set the tone on defense and dictate pace. And that translated: disruptions, steals, forcing contested shots, pushing Las Vegas out of their comfort zones.

Even Caitlin Clark, from the bench, couldn’t help but respond. Clark posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the game: “Kelsey unreal.” It was simple, but in its simplicity, it said everything.

From someone who’s missed games due to injury and watched from the sidelines, seeing her teammate rise like that clearly hit home. Clark’s reaction shows the respect, belief, and perhaps a rallying spirit — that even when one star is out, others can step into the light.

The ripple effects of this kind of win are big. Not only did the Fever steal home court advantage in a tough matchup, they also sent a message: they are dangerous, resilient, and able to stage a full team effort even when depleted.

For Las Vegas, this loss spoils what should have been a calmer start to their playoff series, letting Wilson’s MVP moment be dampened, and forcing the Aces to reexamine how they defend star scoring runs and support their MVP in difficult stretches.

Mitchell’s playoff-career high 34 points is now one of the most memorable individual performances in Fever history. It didn’t just shift one game, it may shift momentum, confidence, and the narrative of this series. For Indiana, it’s proof that their back‑court, even without Clark on the floor, has the firepower and heart.

There are questions ahead, though. Can the Fever maintain this level? Will the Aces adjust in Game 2 or in upcoming games to slow down Mitchell? Can Wilson bounce back in a big way?

For Indiana, how does the team manage the missing players, fatigue, and pressure that come with being the underdog who hurt everyone’s expectations?

For fans, this game will be rewatched for its energy, for Mitchell’s craft, for what it says about the depth and grit of this Fever squad.

It’s not just a win – it’s a turning point. And even though Clark couldn’t play, her voice, support, and reaction make clear that she’s still emotionally invested. The rest of the team has proven that when one spark ignites, the others will follow.