Fever Upset: Kelsey Mitchell Leads Victory Over Aces

In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through teh WNBA, the Indiana Fever, even without their star rookie Caitlin Clark, managed to secure a Game 1 victory against the heavily favored Las Vegas Aces. The Aces, led by the formidable MVP A’ja Wilson, who had just clinched her fourth Player of the Year award, found themselves on the back foot in their own arena.

Despite entering the series as underdogs, the Fever, coached by Stephanie White, established an early led, taking Game 1 with a score of 15-6. This initial advantage was partly due to a slow start from A’ja Wilson, who missed her first six shots.Though, Wilson eventually found her rhythm, contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds, and helped the Aces claw back into the game, even taking a brief lead in the second quarter after a crucial basket and foul.

The momentum swung back and forth, showcasing a thrilling contest between two resolute teams. Indiana,however,responded with a decisive 8-0 run,fueled by an explosive second quarter from Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell poured in 10 points during this period, propelling the fever to a 41-36 lead heading into halftime. This performance highlighted Mitchell’s clutch scoring ability, a key factor in the Fever’s success.

fever’s Dominance in the Second Half

The third quarter saw the Fever extend their lead to double digits, with Natasha Howard contributing significantly with 12 points and 11 rebounds. While the Aces managed to narrow the deficit to four points midway through the quarter, the Fever refused to yield. Coach Becky Hammon’s squad was unable to gain further ground as Indiana unleashed another notable 11-0 run. This surge, capped by a long-range three-pointer from Kelsey Mitchell just before the end of the third quarter, gave the Fever a commanding 69-55 advantage heading into the final period.

In the fourth quarter,the Aces struggled to mount a comeback,despite the efforts of players like Jewell Loyd,who finally registered her first points of the game. Ultimately, the Fever held on for a well-deserved 89-73 victory. Kelsey Mitchell was the undisputed star of the game, leading all scorers with an outstanding 34 points on efficient shooting (12-of-23 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range).

This unexpected Game 1 win puts the Indiana Fever in a strong position. They will have the opportunity to clinch the series on Tuesday, still in Las Vegas, with a chance to go up 2-0. For the Las Vegas Aces and A’ja Wilson, the pressure is immense. They face a must-win situation to avoid heading back to Indianapolis down two games to none, a deficit that would be incredibly tough to overcome against a confident Fever squad.

Amazing Kelsey Mitchell in this game 1 facing the Aces:

• 34 points
• 12/23 in shooting
• 4/6 by far
• win 89 at 73pic.twitter.com/734M3vAtNO

– Thibault mayor (@mnthibault_) September 21, 2025