In a stunning twist in the WNBA playoffs, the Indiana Fever secured a commanding 89-73 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of their semifinal series. This marks a continuation of Indiana’s unexpected playoff run, where they have proven they can compete against the league's best.

Leading the charge, Kelsey Mitchell delivered a phenomenal performance, pouring in 34 points and nailing 4 of 6 three-pointers. Supporting her were Odyssey Sims and Natasha Howard, who added 17 and 12 points respectively, with Howard also contributing 11 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Fever ignited in the third quarter with a 16-6 run, spearheaded by Sims, who netted 8 points in that stretch, giving Indiana a significant 57-43 lead. The Aces fought back, launching a 10-0 run of their own, powered by Chelsea Gray's five points, bringing them within striking distance at 57-53. However, the Fever’s Mitchell and Lexie Hull quickly dashed the Aces’ hopes with crucial three-pointers, extending Indiana’s lead to 69-55 heading into the final quarter.

Despite her recent MVP accolade, A'ja Wilson struggled, posting 16 points and 13 rebounds but shooting a disappointing 6-for-22 from the field. Additionally, her foul trouble limited her effectiveness late in the game.

Jackie Young kept the Aces in the game with her 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Dana Evans provided a solid boost with 14 points off the bench. Gray also contributed with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The game started with Indiana establishing a 19-10 lead, but Las Vegas responded with an 8-0 run to close out the first quarter. They snatched the lead briefly in the second quarter, only for Indiana to regain momentum late, going into halftime up 41-36.

With Game 2 set for Tuesday night in Las Vegas at 9:30 p.m. ET, the Aces will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling into a deeper hole against a rejuvenated Fever squad.