Dawn Staley can’t lose Tuesday night. No matter who wins Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces, one of her former players will advance to the WNBA Finals.
Her social media message after Game 4 showed a coach at peace as two stars she shaped at South Carolina, A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, battled, with one trying to advance to the Finals and the other refusing to let it happen.
What Did Dawn Staley Say About the Fever-Aces Matchup?
Staley posted on X after Game 4, replying to a comment suggesting someone check on her following the high-stakes matchup. She made it clear she had no reason to worry:
“I’m actually pretty calm. I can’t lose. There will be a @GamecockWBB or two in the @WNBA finals. They are both built for this moment… dominating players on every level they have played. We are all Now witnesses!”
I’m actually pretty calm. I can’t lose. There will be a @GamecockWBB or two in the @WNBA finals. They are both built for this moment…dominating players on every level they have played. We are all
Now witnesses! 🥰🥰🥰 https://t.co/eMfzKI4Nbm— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) September 28, 2025
The “one or two” refers to the possibility that if the Fever wins, both Boston and her teammate Bree Hall, another former Gamecock, advance to the Finals. Boston kept that scenario alive with a playoff career-high 24 points and 14 rebounds to force the decisive game, while Wilson scored 31 points in the losing effort.
The series has gone back and forth from the start. The Fever upset the Aces 89-73 in Game 1 behind Kelsey Mitchell’s 34 points while holding Wilson to 6-for-22 shooting. The Aces bounced back to win Games 2 and 3, with Wilson scoring 25 points in Game 2 before Jackie Young led them with 25 in Game 3. Boston’s dominant Game 4 performance tied the series and set up Tuesday’s winner-take-all finale.
How Did Staley Shape Her Two Former Stars?
Both players experienced Staley’s demanding coaching during their college years at South Carolina. They’ve each opened up about what that approach meant for their development.
Boston’s Tough Love at South Carolina
Boston has opened up about the demanding coaching she received at South Carolina. One story involved Staley criticizing her harshly following a double-double during a trip to the Bahamas, telling her she wasn’t playing well enough to help the team win anything.
Boston went to her parents frustrated, not knowing Staley had already explained the strategy to them. The coach knew exactly which buttons to push, using criticism as motivation rather than genuine disapproval.
The toughest moment came during the 2022 championship run. After losing the SEC Tournament final to Kentucky, Staley held a brutal film session where she dissected every mistake.
Boston recalled film sessions where Staley would break down everything, and those methods nearly pushed her to an emotional breaking point. They ultimately built the mental toughness that helped Boston deliver her career-best performance in Game 4.
How Staley Coached Wilson at South Carolina?
Wilson also experienced Staley’s demanding methods during her college years. “Coach Staley and I push each other’s buttons like there’s no other. She really likes to yell at me all the time. I could do something great, but she’s still yelling at me.” Wilson said.
Once Wilson entered the WNBA, Staley became her loudest supporter. She publicly endorsed Wilson for MVP this season, drawing criticism from some fans who felt a college coach shouldn’t weigh in on professional awards. After Wilson won her record fourth MVP, Staley celebrated the achievement.
Despite that public support, Staley wouldn’t call Wilson the greatest player ever. When asked directly, she paused and repeated “ever” twice before settling on “the best in the world” instead of the greatest of all time.
The two players Staley pushed hard during their South Carolina years now face each other Tuesday night in Game 5. The winner takes on the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals.
