Kelsey Mitchell’s 21 points, Natasha Howard’s double-double, and Indiana’s depth deliver an 80–70 upset over Las Vegas. Learn where to watch Aces vs Fever, player stats, injury updates, and playoff implications.
🔥 Aces vs Fever Recap
In their 3rd meeting of the season the Indiana Fever cornered out the Las Vegas Aces by 80–70 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 24, 2025. With star Caitlin Clark side benched on the match, Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 21 points while Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston delivered double-doubles 18 points/13 rebounds and 13 points/10 boards respectively .
The huge third quarter push made a scored of 27 points, including 11 from Howard turned the tide. Indiana shuts the Aces out in a four-minute stretch in the fourth which seals their win and gaining the season series 2–1 against Las Vegas .
📊 Key Player Performances & Stats
- Natasha Howard: Efficient 18 pts (6‑9 FG), 13 reb, 3 steals in 30 mins—her 54th career double-double, tied 26th all-time in WNBA double-doubles .
- Aliyah Boston: 13 pts, 10 rebounds—tenth double-double of the season, second-most in the league .
- Kelsey Mitchell: Consistent contributor, 21 pts and now 25 straight games of double-digit scoring; surpassed 4,400 career points as fastest guard in Fever history .
- A’ja Wilson (Aces): Led Las Vegas with 20 pts; despite elite season averages, the team’s three-point struggles (13%) hindered victory .
🏀 Tactical & Statistical Breakdown
| Category | Aces | Fever |
|---|---|---|
| Team FG% | 40.3% (27‑67) | 40.8% (29‑71) |
| 3‑Point Shooting | 13.3% (2‑15) | 47.8% (11‑23) |
| Points off Turnovers | Aces 16 pts from 14 IND TOs | Fever only 3 pts from 14 Aces TOs |
| Fast Break Points | Aces 2 | Fever 7 |
| Lead Changes / Ties | 5 ties, 11 lead changes | |
| Paint Points | Aces +38–32 | Las Vegas Aces |
Indiana’s strength beyond the arc (11 3‑pointers) and its ball control were major factors in upsetting a dominant A’ja Wilson-led Aces squad.
🧩 Season Implications
- The Fever improved to 13–12 which leads them to a season tiebreaker over the Aces (12–12). The win improves their playoff positioning in the tightly packed Eastern Conference.
- Caitlin Clark remains out due to her third leg injury of the season (right groin), with no timeline for return. Coach Stephanie White emphasized prioritizing her long-term health over rushed comebacks.
- With Clark sidelined again, backup guard Sophie Cunningham continues starting and making key contributions .
🌟 Natasha Howard & Aliyah Boston: Game Changers
- Natasha Howard, Fever’s offseason free-agent signing, justified the move as MVP of the recent Commissioner’s Cup and continue her form vs Aces with 18/13/3 line.
- Aliyah Boston added sustained post presence and rebounding prowess. Her double-double pace ranks second in WNBA this season.
- Their production highlights Indiana’s shift to a well-rounded frontcourt: balanced scoring, strong defense, and physicality.
👁️ A’ja Wilson & Aces’ Offensive Woes
- League MVP enters 2025 averaging 22.3 pts and 9.2 rebounds per game, expanding her skillset to 23.9% assist rate—the highest of her career.
- Yet even with Wilson’s brilliance, Las Vegas has struggled as a team, now battling for a playoff berth rather than competing for top seeding. The backcourt’s inconsistency and bench contributions remain problematic .
- Wilson’s elite playmaking and scoring dominance were neutralized by Indiana’s defensive adjustments and 3‑point accuracy.
Natasha Howard put up a big-time performance tonight in our Stranger Things dub 👻🌌
18 PTS | 66.7 FG% | 13 REB | 3 STL pic.twitter.com/mFWOkKhXuQ
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 25, 2025
📍 Where to Watch Aces vs Fever
- The Indianpolis matchup was broadcast on WNBA League Pass, with national coverage via CBSSports.com and ESPN highlights.
- Next Fever home game vs Chicago Sky on Sunday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET, airing on ABC nationally .
- While Caitlin Clark remains sidelined, Indiana continues to deploy Cunningham as starting guard until further notice .
🧭 Broader Narrative & Trends
- Indiana’s Commissioner’s Cup championship earlier in July (first in franchise history) gave them momentum and confidence heading into this win vs Aces .
- The Fever’s transformation since Caitlin Clark’s arrival ranked the franchise from a .500 team to playoff contender even without their star guard in Main games.
- For the Aces the loss highlights ongoing struggles despite Wilson’s MVP caliber season. Their playoff hopes may grab on timely acquisitions or lineup tweaks.
Leave a Reply