WNBA Playoffs Game 1: Las Vegas Aces Blow Out Indiana, 102-85; Top-Seeded Minnesota Loses To NY In Game 1 Sunday
Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Indiana Fever are a very talented women’s basketball team. They scored 47 points in the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs Sunday afternoon at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.
But the Las Vegas Aces were even better, a scoring juggernaut pouring in 62 point in the first 20 minutes led by MVP candidate A’ja Wilson’s 22 points.
The third-seeded Aces are hot, rolling into the postseason with seven straight wins.
And they stayed hot, reeling off a convincing 102-85 win over the Indiana Fever with Wilson leading the way with 38 points. Wilson was 15 of 19 from the field and six of seven from the free throw line.
Wilson was superb in the first half. Her points matched her number — 22. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark had 10 at the half and so did her teammate, Kelsey Mitchell.
The atmosphere was electric from the start in this packed arena on the Strip.
The Aces have sold out this venue in every game for three consecutive years. The team is also seeking its fourth WNBA title in five seasons as the Aces enter the playoffs with a regular season record of 31 wins and 13 losses, finishing behind Minnesota and Golden State. Top-seeded Minnesota lost to the New York Liberty in Game 1 Sunday and the Lynx are one game from elimination.
The Aces ballooned their halftime lead to 71-50 midway through the third quarter.
Chants of “MVP” were heard when Wilson went to the foul line to complete a three-point play on a successful follow-up.
Wilson then rattled home a three-ball from beyond the arc and Las Vegas were up, 77-55, with three minutes to go in the third.
The Aces were in cruise control, with head coach Becky Hammon emptying the bench with less than two minutes left in the game.
The Best-of-3 series now shifts to Indiana for Game 2.
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