The journey to the WNBA Finals culminates here. The Indiana Fever, seeded sixth, have challenged the second-seeded Las Vegas Aces to a critical Game 5 in the semifinals. The victor will move forward to compete against the Phoenix Mercury, the fourth seed, in Game 1 set for Friday.
A’ja Wilson, a four-time MVP, has been a pivotal figure for the Aces. She has spearheaded a significant recovery, guiding Las Vegas from a position outside the playoff contention to a streak of 16 consecutive victories at the close of the regular season. The Fever, showcasing remarkable resilience in elimination matchups, have surprised many with their playoff performance, achieving this despite injuries to players like Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, and Sophie Cunningham, among others.
The Aces are looking to make their way back to the Finals, a stage they haven’t reached in a year, having secured consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023. Conversely, the Fever’s most recent Finals appearance was in 2015, during coach Stephanie White’s initial tenure with the squad, where they were defeated by the Minnesota Lynx. The franchise’s singular championship occurred in 2012, under the leadership of Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.
Preceding Tuesday’s Game 5, Lynx player Napheesa Collier voiced her concerns regarding commissioner Cathy Engelbert amid ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks. Players rapidly expressed their solidarity with Collier’s observations, as discussions around officiating and the game’s physicality have gained prominence throughout these playoffs.
How to watch Fever vs. Aces in Game 5
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 30
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena | Las Vegas
Channel: ESPN2
Stay tuned below for real-time updates, notable plays, and further coverage from the crucial Game 5:
