The Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) takes a shot against the Indiana Fever forward Mikayla Thompson (21) in game 1 of the WNBA playoff semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (0-1) never really got started in their matchup with the Indiana Fever (1-0). losing 89-73. They trailed for the entire second half and the Fever really put the stops on A’Ja Wilson who finished the game with 16 points.

The good news is that we have seen Wilson came away with a low-scoring game only to be followed up by some amazing numbers. There is little doubt that the Aces will come back on Tuesday night in game two with an entirely re-worked mindset.

Game recap: The Fever came out hot, the Aces not so much in fact it was a bit of a dismal start. They were missing a lot of shots around the rim and just did not look sharp to start this game. They were trailing 19-10 with under three minutes left in the first ten minutes of play.

It was a troubling start for Las Vegas. With under a minute left in the first quarter something within the Aces began to turn around as they started to chip away at the Fever’s lead. The Aces went on an 8-0 run and as the clock expired the Fever were clinging onto a one-point lead 19-18.

After such an awful start the Las Vegas Aces would be looking to start the second quarter in the same way they finished the first quarter. In the early moments of the second quarter the Aces took their first lead of the game 21-19.

The bad news for the Fever was the second foul on Aliyah Boston. Mid-way through the second quarter this game was tied at 25. The Aces were protecting the ball well with only three turnovers but they continued to miss too many shots around the rim.

Neither team was doing a whole lot from beyond the arc but what the Fever had going for them was a better shooting percentage from the field. The final seconds of the first half saw the Aces self-destruct with turnovers and fouls falling behind 41-36. The Fever had outscored the Aces 22-18 in the second quarter.

The third quarter went from bad to worse as the Fever continued to push their lead and mid-way through the quarter had taken a 57-45 lead. Indiana had come into this game with the perfect game plan part of which was.putting the stops on Wilson.

They had also shut down Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. The Fever had owned the 50/50 ball. Jewell Loyd had been on the floor for 17 minutes without a single point. The Aces got as close as three points 58-55 at 2:51 but the Fever pushed right back taking a 69-55 lead as the quarter came to an end.

It got even more precarious with Wilson committing four personal fouls. The Aces got close at times throughout the game but just could not push the game over the top and take control of the pace of the game.

Las Vegas had been unable to contain Kelsey Mitchell who had the game high 31 points with six minutes left in the game. Wilson had a double double with 13 rebounds but only 16 points. Losing at home was not something that the Aces wanted to entertain.

More than anything, the Aces needed stops with 4:20 left in the game and trailing 82-69. Wilson had only hit one field goal in the entire second half. Las Vegas needed to make stops and of course the Fever began to bleed the clock with two minutes left in the game.

This game was all but done and Las Vegas had lost at home. The road forward would be a tough one but if there is any team in the WNBA that could pull it out, all bets are on the Los Vegas Aces. The final was 89-73 in a heart-breaking loss.

Jackie Young finished the game with 16 points and Wilson had yet another double double with 13 rebounds and 16 points. Chelsea Gray chipped in 13 points and Dana Evans had a great game off the bench with 14 points.

The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell had the game high with 34 points. Odyssey Sims finished with 17 points and Natasha Howard had a double double with 11 rebounds and 12 points.

Game notes: After beating the Seattle Storm in game three of their series by a single point 74-73 the Las Vegas Aces lost to the Indiana Fever in the first game of the semi-finals Sunday afternoon. The Aces are the second seed and started the series on their home court Michelob ULTRA Arena.

After an outstanding game three in their last series Wilson scored 38 points and the Fever defended her well enough to limit scoring to 16 a big difference from game 3 vs. Seattle. Jewell Lloyd had a quite game with 3 points.

The Aces know what each of them are capable of and they really needed them in this game. This was true test for the Aces as they take on the best of the best only to lose by 16 points on their home floor.

The Las Vegas Aces now have their work cut out for them as they return to Michelob ULTRA Arena on Tuesday to host Indiana in game two. They can beat the tough teams as evidenced by their 17 straight winning streak to finish the season.

They will have to put an improved game plan into action on Tuesday and there is little doubt that the Aces will see a different team on the court.

The Fever are a group of fighters that play for their fans, fight for each other and fight for themselves. The Aces will have their hands full on Tuesday night in Vegas for game 2. Tip-off for this game is scheduled for 6:30 PM and be seen on ESPN.