Semis Game Recap

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Game Recap: Fever vs. Aces (9/23/25)

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Top Plays of the Day, 09/23/2025

AP Recap

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored a playoff-career high 34 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series.
After seeing their double-digit lead shrink to three points with 2:51 left in the third, the Fever closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to extend their advantage to 14 points, seizing control of the game and never looking back.
Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting with 93 points, scored 17 points in the first half, setting the tone for the Fever’s offense. The veteran guard, who finished the regular season ranked third in scoring with 20.2 points per game, shot 12 of 23 (52.2%) from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range in her first-ever semifinal game.
“I think what you guys see is just me trying to just be a kid in the playground,” said Mitchell, whose scoring tally was the second-highest in franchise history.
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Odyssey Sims had 17 points, while Natasha Howard finished with a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds).
The Fever finished the game hitting 50% from the floor (34 of 68), while the Aces shot just 29 of 71 (40.8%).
“We wanted to come in and be the aggressor right away to make sure that we were dictating on the defensive end, and we were dictating from a pace standpoint,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “We knew that they were going to make runs. They made a big one in the third and we responded with a big one. It’s one game, it’s a long series. &#8230; But to come in here and to be able to steal this one was big for us.”
The victory spoiled A’ja Wilson’s celebration for becoming the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-mvp-wilson-aces-9dbf1eb3125c59797f4fd57737684b01" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">WNBA’s first player to win four MVPs</a> in her career. The 29-year-old, who was also named the AP Player of the Year, finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson shot just 27.3% (6 of 22) from the field.
Jackie Young led the Aces with 19 points, while Dana Evans came off the bench to score 14 points and Chelsea Gray chipped in with 13.
Las Vegas hadn’t lost at home since Aug. 2, when the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx handed the Aces the worst home loss in WNBA history, a 53-point beatdown. From that point, the Aces closed the regular season on a 16-game win streak before defeating the Seattle Storm in the opening round.
The win was even more impressive, considering the Aces came into the game without a single player on the injured list, while the Fever had six.
Already shorthanded without Chloe Bibby (left knee), Caitlin Clark (right groin), Sydney Colson (left knee), Sophie Cunningham (right knee) and Aari McDonald (right foot), Indiana added Damiris Dantas to the list, as she was in concussion protocol.
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Game Recap: Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces (Semi-Finals, Game 1)

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Game Recap: Fever vs. Aces (9/21/25)

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Jackie Young with 19 Points vs. Indiana Fever

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Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever - Game Highlights

Betting + Odds

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs are off to a hot start, with dominating wins and nail-biting finishes. The Minnesota Lynx wasted no time, sweeping the Golden State Valkyries to advance to the semifinals, while the Indiana Fever pulled off an upset to knock out the Atlanta Dream. The Las Vegas Aces edged the Seattle Storm in a thrilling Game 3 that came down to the final seconds, and the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury will close out Round 1 with a deciding Game 3 on Friday.
Let’s break down the latest <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba">WNBA Finals odds,</a> preview Friday and Sunday’s matchups, and highlight my best bets on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Stay locked into the playoffs with game previews, best bets, and predictions all postseason long on <a href="https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/">DraftKingsNetwork.com!</a>
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<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=team-futures&amp;subcategory=champion">2025 WNBA Finals Odds</a>
The Favorite: MIN Lynx (-130)
The favorite to win the Finals coming into the postseason hasn’t changed one bit, with the Lynx (-130) holding strong. Minnesota opened with a 101–72 blowout over Golden State before facing real resistance in Game 2, when the Valkyries built a 17-point lead in the third quarter. But the Lynx showed why they’re the top seed, powering back in the fourth with the balance, depth, and relentlessness that has defined their season to secure the sweep. Backed by the league’s best offense and defense, Minnesota looks every bit like a team built for another championship run.
The Aces (+170), meanwhile, remain right in the hunt. A’ja Wilson is playing beyond MVP level, pouring in nearly 40 points in Thursday’s elimination win. Jackie Young is averaging 21.5 points this postseason, while Jewell Lloyd continues to light it up as a scoring threat of her own.
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WNBA Best Bets and Weekend Preview
New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury — Friday, September 19th, 9:00 PM ET
The Liberty and Mercury split the first two games in very different fashion. New York escaped with a 76-69 overtime win in Game 1 behind big nights from Natasha Cloud and Breanna Stewart, though turnovers nearly cost them late. Phoenix answered in Game 2, dominating from the second quarter on and rolling to an 86-60 win as Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner, and Kathryn Westbeld all hit double figures. Stewart’s lingering knee issue was evident, and New York’s offense never found a rhythm.
That sets up a decisive Game 3 on Friday in New York. I’m leaning toward the Mercury here — their balanced scoring, defensive intensity, and ability to ride momentum from their hot shooting in Game 2 give them the edge. On the other side, I’m fading Breanna Stewart; her knee looks too limiting for New York to overcome in a win-or-go-home spot. With Phoenix surging and New York searching for answers, the Mercury feel like the better play to advance.
Lean: PHO -2.5
<a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/wnba?category=player-points&amp;subcategory=points-o-u">PICK: Breanna Stewart Under 13.5 Points (-120)</a>
Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces — Sunday, September 21st, 3 PM ET
The Indiana Fever showed grit in their first-round series with Atlanta, bouncing back from a rough Game 1 to dominate Game 2 behind Aliyah Boston’s inside presence and Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring. Mitchell stayed hot with 24 points in Game 3, while Boston’s go-ahead bucket sealed the upset and gave Indiana its first playoff series win in a decade. A tough Round 2 matchup now awaits.
The Aces punched their ticket to the semis with a thrilling 74–73 Game 3 win over Seattle, capped by Jackie Young’s clutch putback with 12 seconds left. A’ja Wilson has been unstoppable, averaging 29.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in Round 1, highlighted by a 38-point Game 3. Young’s consistency — double figures in 12 straight games — combined with Chelsea Gray’s playmaking and Wilson’s dominance makes Las Vegas a daunting opponent for anyone.
With the Aces proving to be dominant at home, I&#8217;m leaning towards the two-time champs to pull out a Game 1 W on Sunday.
Lean: LV ML
<a href="%20Jackie%20Young%20Over%2015.5%20Points%20(-120)">PICK: Jackie Young Over 15.5 Points (-120)</a>
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All odds and lines provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change.
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2025 WNBA Playoffs: Updated Finals Odds, Best Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 38 points to tie a playoff career high, <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://x.com/LVAces/status/1968885139502420165" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Jackie Young had a go-ahead follow shot with 12.4 seconds left</a> and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Seattle Storm 74-73 on Thursday night to secure a spot in the WNBA semifinals.
Wilson, who had 25 points in the second half, had a layup roll off the rim with 25 seconds left and <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://x.com/espn/status/1968884610193903826" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Erica Wheeler raced the other way</a> on a 2-on-1 break with Skylar Diggins. Wheeler pulled up in the lane to sink a jumper to give Seattle a 73-72 lead with 18 seconds remaining.
Wilson missed another shot, but Young was there for the putback. After a timeout to get to midcourt, Wheeler had a good look from the free throw line that hit off the back rim and Seattle could not get off another shot before the buzzer.
Las Vegas secured its seventh consecutive semifinal appearance. The second-seeded Aces advance to play on Sunday against No. 6 <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/fever-dream-score-6f4823e740c39c107689b3487377633a" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Indiana, which eliminated Atlanta earlier</a>.
Young finished with 14 points and Chelsea Gray had 12 points and eight assists for Las Vegas. Wilson, who was 14 of 26 from the field and 10 of 11 at the line, scored 30-plus points in a playoff game for the sixth time in her career — tied for the second-most in WNBA history.
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Nneka Ogwumike scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half for Seattle. Wheeler also scored 16 and Diggins added 13.
Diggins made a wide-open 3-pointer from the corner with 1:14 remaining to give Seattle a 71-70 lead, its first since it was 24-23. After a timeout, Wilson made a shot in the lane to regain the lead.
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Game Recap: Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces (First Round, Game 3)

First Round Game Recap

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Game Recap: Storm vs. Aces (9/18/25)

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Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm - Game Highlights

Latest

Jackie Young

Career Highlights
<ul>
<li>2023 &amp; 2022 WNBA Champion</li>
<li>2022 WNBA Most Improved Player Award</li>
<li>2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 WNBA All-Star starter</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://aces.wnba.com/jackie-young-bio/">Click here for more on Jackie Young, including season-by-season, international, college and personal notes.</a>