AU Stars Highlight WNBA Semifinal Series Between Aces and Fever
The Las Vegas Aces are headed back to the WNBA Finals to defend their league title after a dogfight of a series with the Indiana Fever. Still, it didn’t come easy, and a handful of key Athletes Unlimited stars were integral to some of their teams’ biggest moments.
The semifinal series matchups were highlighted by season bests and team-leading stat lines, and were capped by a fitting finale for the 2025 champs: a thrilling 107-98 overtime win in Game 5.
Series Scores
- Game 1: Fever 89, Aces 73
- Game 2: Aces 90, Fever 68
- Game 3: Aces 84, Fever 72
- Game 4: Fever 90, Aces 83
- Game 5 (OT): Aces 107, Fever 98
Las Vegas Aces (Kierstan Bell, Aaliyah Nye, NaLyssa Smith, Kiah Stokes)
Kierstan Bell made the most of her limited minutes. In Game 2, she helped spark the Aces’ response to Indiana’s early momentum with two steals, plus four points, one rebound, and one assist in 10 minutes of action. Her defensive pressure stood out in a key bounce-back win.
NaLyssa Smith delivered her biggest punch in the middle of the series. In Game 2, she posted 18 points and seven rebounds – both second-best on the team behind Wilson – while also adding an assist and a steal. It marked her second-highest scoring game of the year. She followed that with another strong outing in Game 3, dropping 16 points along with four rebounds and a steal.
While performances in Games 4 and 5 weren’t as flashy, Smith made solid contributions with eight points in Game 4 and five more in the overtime clincher.
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Indiana Fever (Odyssey Sims, Bree Hall)
Odyssey Sims was the revelation of the series. What began as a seven-day hardship contract turned into one of the most memorable playoff runs of her career. With the Fever missing Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, Sims emerged as a driving force.
She opened the series with 17 points in Indiana’s Game 1 statement win, adding three steals, three rebounds, and two assists. She followed that with 18 points and a team-high seven assists in Game 2, then matched the 18-point mark again in Game 4 to help force a deciding fifth game.
Game 5 proved to be her finest. Sims poured in 27 points on 7-for-14 shooting and 12-for-13 from the free-throw line, with 14 of those points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. She also led the team in assists with six, while adding two rebounds and a steal in 41 minutes.
Even in defeat, Sims’ performance solidified her as one of the breakout stars of the postseason.
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What’s Next
With the semifinal test behind them, the Aces advance to the WNBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season. They’ll face the Phoenix Mercury in a best-of-seven series beginning October 3, as they look to capture another championship.
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
