October 1, 2025
Sights and sounds: A roaring crowd sends the Aces to the WNBA finals
Michelob Ultra Arena was packed with fans from both teams for Tuesday’s energized matchup
LAS VEGAS — White towels adorned with the queen from a deck of playing cards lined the seats of Michelob Ultra Arena ahead of a decisive WNBA Semifinals Game 5 on Tuesday between the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever. And the fans showed up with their own Vegas flair, donning silver face paint, their favorite Aces jerseys and pink wigs in honor of their recently crowned four-time MVP, A’ja Wilson.
Continue reading with a subscription to The Next
Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers, editors, and photographers by subscribing today.
Already a member?
Login
That energy carried right into the start of the game as in-arena hosts CJ and Joe, as well as the Wild Card dance crew, worked to get the crowd loud and excited. Joined by their mascot, Buckets, the Aces took the court for the t-shirt tosses, and kids squealed with excitement as the friendly rabbit got near their sections.
From the very tip, the crowd seemed to react in unison, cheering and booing as the game ebbed and flowed. The Aces took a two-point lead into halftime with 14 and 12 points from Wilson and Jackie Young, respectively.
Want more women’s hockey content? Subscribe to The Ice Garden!
In case you missed it, The Ice Garden is now part of The IX Sports family!
The staff of The Ice Garden has paved the way for women’s hockey coverage from the college ranks to international competitions. Of course, that includes in-depth coverage of the PWHL too. For a limited time, free signups at The Ice Garden can sample all the work they do. Check it out, sign up now!
The Aces surged ahead to start the third quarter — much to the enjoyment of the hometown crowd. However, the entire arena sat in stunned silence when, midway through the period, Indiana star Kelsey Mitchell fell to the court and received medical attention.
She revealed on X on Wednesday that she suffered from Rhabdomyolysis, a condition that forced her muscles to stop producing and start breaking down. As she managed to get off the court with assistance, fans cheered in support of Mitchell, who was sent to the hospital to receive treatment.
Though both teams appeared rattled after the incident, the game continued on with the Aces holding a narrow lead to enter the fourth quarter. Once again, the Fever rallied, ultimately tying the game on a pair of free throws by Odyssey Sims with 52 seconds remaining in regulation.
When the game went into overtime, fans stood for the entire five minutes. As the seconds wound down, the DJ played “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen. The arena roared with rhythm as Aces fans shouted the lyrics during the last timeout. And when the clock hit double zeros, fans roared with excitement, as the Aces had just punched their ticket to their third finals appearance in four years.
The playoff atmosphere at “The House” is here to stay. With the higher seed, the Aces locked home-court advantage going into the finals. The Aces now look to win their third championship in four years, and home-court advantage will play a critical role in the matchup against the Phoenix Mercury.
The battle of the desert begins on Friday at Michelob Ultra Arena. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. PST. The matchup will be live on ESPN.
Order ‘Rare Gems’ and save 30%
Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The IX Basketball and The IX Sports, wrote this deeply reported book. “Rare Gems” follows four connected generations of women’s basketball pioneers, from Elvera “Peps” Neuman to Cheryl Reeve and from Lindsay Whalen to Sylvia Fowles and Paige Bueckers.
If you enjoy Megdal’s coverage of women’s basketball every Wednesday at The IX Sports, you will love “Rare Gems: How Four Generations of Women Paved the Way for the WNBA.” Click the link below to order and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout to save 30%!
