The Indiana Fever stunned the top‐seeded Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals with an 89–73 upset in Las Vegas.

Kelsey Mitchell lit up the scoreboard with a playoff‐career high 34 points, leading Fever’s charge, while the Aces’ MVP, A’ja Wilson, had an off night in what should have been a celebratory home moment.

Mitchell came out strong from the tip. She poured in 17 points in the first half, giving Indiana the momentum early. Her efficiency stood out — she made 12 of 23 field goal attempts (52.2%) including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Her offense was steady, and it provided a backbone that Indiana leaned on the rest of the way.

Even when the Aces tried to mount a run, Indiana had answers. With about 2:50 left in the third quarter, Las Vegas cut a double‐digit Indiana lead down to three. The Fever responded emphatically with an 11–0 run to push the lead back out, and never let the Aces back into serious contention.

On the stat sheet for the Fever, besides Mitchell’s scoring, Odyssey Sims chipped in with 17 points. Natasha Howard grabbed a double‐double (12 points, 11 rebounds), doing heavy lifting on both ends. As a team they shot 50% from the field (34 of 68), making their looks count.

A’ja Wilson, who was celebrating making history as the first player in WNBA history to win four MVP awards, did not get the kind of performance her fans hoped for.

She scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but had trouble finding her rhythm. Wilson went just 6 of 22 from the field (27.3%), far below her usual standards.

Las Vegas got contributions from other players. Jackie Young led the Aces with 19 points. Dana Evans (14) and Chelsea Gray (13) helped provide scoring depth. But when the time came, they didn’t have enough firepower or defensive stops to overcome Fever’s surge.

Injuries marred Indiana’s roster heading into this contest — they were shorthanded with six players unavailable. Among them were notable names like Caitlin Clark, Chloe Bibby, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Damiris Dantas (in concussion protocol). Despite that, the team pulled together and executed their game plan with poise.

One big storyline is the home‐court factor. The Aces had been nearly unbeatable at home recently. They rode a long winning streak there, including closing out the regular season with 16 straight wins.

 This loss not only spoils Wilson’s MVP celebration, but it also hands Indiana momentum early in the series.

This upset changes the complexion of the series. Indiana, long seen as the underdog, now holds Game 1 thanks to a combination of hot shooting, disciplined defense, and Mitchell’s standout performance.

Las Vegas will need to regroup quickly. Wilson will need to find her groove, while the supporting cast must step up. Meanwhile, Indiana will try to carry forward the confidence and energy they showed.

Looking ahead, Game 2 becomes pivotal. If Indiana can steal another win, it would severely weaken the Aces’ chances of defending their position, especially given how much was riding on home court. On the flip side, Las Vegas can’t afford another off night, especially from their stars. For now, though, the Fever have made a bold statement.