The Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd was on its feet, the tension hanging like a storm in the Indiana air. On one side was A’ja Wilson, the reigning force of the Las Vegas Aces. On the other, Aliyah Boston, the rising phenom who has already become Wilson’s greatest challenger. It was Wilson who wrote a masterpiece in the end, leading the Aces to a 107–98 overtime victory over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night, securing their third WNBA Finals berth in four years.
Wilson’s Historic Night
Wilson was nothing short of phenomenal. With 35 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks, she etched her name deeper into WNBA lore. She became the first player in league history with multiple 35-point elimination games and the first with consecutive games of 30+ points, three steals, and three blocks. Her dominance was relentless and poetic—a star not just shining but burning incandescent in the biggest moments.
The crowd gasped when she swatted shots into the seats and roared when she muscled through double teams. “It was vintage A’ja,” one commentator said. “The kind of performance you tell your kids about.”
Step into Boston’s Breakthrough Season
Boston, however, would not go out quietly. A day following a playoff career high, she battled foul trouble to match her career high with 16 rebounds, along with 11 points and 2 assists. She averaged a double-double in the playoffs—12.5 points and 11.4 rebounds—cementing her status as arguably the league’s second-best center behind Wilson.
It was defense that left the biggest mark. She frustrated Wilson in Game 1 into a 6-for-22 shooting night, one of the worst games of the superstar’s career. By Game 4, Boston was attacking at the rim with such ferocity that she attempted more free throws than the entire Aces team. Indiana may have lost, but Boston’s legend increased.
Full WNBA playoff stats and updates are here.
Controversial Officiating
The semifinal series was not all stars; it was also plagued by officiating controversies. The foul count was 12 on Las Vegas and just 5 on Indiana midway in Game 4. Not long after, following a non-call on Jackie Young that infuriated fans, Aces coach Becky Hammon was called for a technical. The whistle then swung wildly the other way, and Boston was whistled for several dubious fouls that eventually disqualified her from the game.
Indiana fought to the final minutes after losing Kelsey Mitchell to injury and Boston being eliminated late. But when overtime came, Las Vegas’ depth and Wilson’s brilliance were too much.
Looking Ahead: Aces vs Mercury
The Finals are now set: Las Vegas Aces (2 seed) vs Phoenix Mercury (4 seed).
- Game 1: Oct. 3 – Phoenix at Las Vegas (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)
- Game 2: Oct. 5 – Phoenix at Las Vegas (3:00 PM ET, ABC)
- Game 3: Oct. 8 – Las Vegas at Phoenix (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)
- Game 4: Oct. 10 – Las Vegas at Phoenix (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)
- Games 5–7 if necessary
The Aces dominated the regular-season series, winning three of four. In each of those victories, Wilson posted monster double-doubles, underscoring just how difficult she is to contain. Phoenix, however, stunned the basketball world by eliminating both defending champion New York and top-seeded Minnesota.
South Carolina Gamecocks in the Spotlight
For South Carolina fans, the semifinals were more than just a playoff battle—it was a reunion of legends.
- Aliyah Boston (Indiana): Averaged 12.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists. Defined the series with defensive intensity and relentless rebounding.
- A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas): Averaged 26 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks in the playoffs. Put on an all-time elimination game performance.
- Bree Hall (Indiana): Saw limited minutes but contributed to Indiana’s late-season surge that took them into the playoffs.
The noise of the WNBA playoffs echoed with the sounds of Colonial Life Arena, where Boston and Wilson once reigned in garnet and black. Now, they’re marquee performers on the sport’s biggest professional platform.
The Bigger Picture
The WNBA Finals promise to bring fireworks. Las Vegas is chasing dynasty—three titles in four years—while Phoenix is chasing redemption with veteran savvy and young, hungry talent. For Boston, the season ends in heartbreak, but her rise is inevitable. For Wilson, it’s another chance to cement her legacy as all-time great.
And for A’ja Wilson vs Aliyah Boston WNBA playoffs fans, the rivalry is only just beginning.
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