The Las Vegas Aces entered their semifinal matchup with the Indiana Fever riding high. A’ja Wilson had just been crowned the 2025 WNBA MVP, and the team was fresh off a 16-game win streak to close the regular season. The crowd at Michelop Ultra Arena was electric.
But all of that momentum came crashing to a halt on Sunday, as Kelsey Mitchell and the Fever, the underdogs this season, silenced the Aces with a commanding 89-73 Game 1 win.
Amidst this comes a voice, Becky Hammon, who displayed her disappointment over the Aces’ poor performance.
Becky Hammon Blasts Las Vegas Aces For Poor Effort Against Kelsey Mitchell & Fever
In the post-game conference, Aces head coach Becky Hammon didn’t hold back. She zeroed in on her team’s defensive struggles and stagnant offense, with her frustration clearly outlining the Aces’ shortcomings.
“I know we’re capable, but not when we play like that. You know, God forbid A’ja doesn’t drop 40 for us. Like, we had 12 assists tonight in 40 minutes and 12 turnovers.”
Hammon also cited Kelsey Mitchell’s powerful 34-point outburst as the defining difference. “But you can start on the defensive end. I mean, clearly, we had no answer for Mitchell. couldn’t even attempt to slow her down a little bit,” Hammon admitted. “I thought it was really poor.”
Becky Hammon on the Aces’ struggles in Game One against the Fever.#ALLINLV #RaiseTheStakes #WNBA #WNBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/c7cKAlyHOn
— Dice City Sports (@DiceCitySports) September 21, 2025
The numbers back up her assessment. Las Vegas managed just 12 assists, its second-lowest mark of the season, while coughing up the ball 12 times. Their offensive rhythm evaporated against Indiana’s aggressive defensive schemes, which forced the Aces into isolation plays and clogged the paint.
How Did The Fever Take Control Of The Game Against A’ja Wilson And Team?
The Fever had taken control, and there was nothing that the Aces could do about it! For Indy, the story was relatively simple. Mitchell wasn’t one to be stopped.
The veteran guard set a WNBA record for most points in a player’s first semifinal appearance with 34. She hit 12 of 23 shots, went a perfect 6-of-6 from the line, and orchestrated the Fever’s offense with pace and precision.
While Mitchell carried the scoring load, Aliyah Boston anchored the defense, holding Wilson to just 16 points on 6-of-22 shooting. It was a jarring contrast as Wilson had just finished celebrating her fourth MVP award right before tip-off. She then spent the entire night battling through double teams and missed opportunities.
Fever head coach Stephanie White explained her team’s approach clearly. “We knew that we needed to force them to play individually. We can’t let them ping the ball around. They’re too good. And I thought our attention to detail for the most part was really good.”
Despite this setback, Hammon and the Aces are not panicking yet. The Aces will face the Fever in a pivotal Game 2 on Tuesday, September 23, in Vegas.