Aliyah Boston’s Celebration Backfires After Indiana Fever Loss

Aliyah Boston Fights but Fouls Out

Boston played a hard-fought 32 minutes, finishing with 11 points, 16 rebounds and two assists. Her presence on the boards kept Indiana alive, but foul trouble haunted her.

With 27 seconds left in regulation, Boston picked up her sixth foul while diving for a loose ball. Fever coach Stephanie White challenged the call, but it was upheld. Boston fouled out, leaving Indiana without its defensive anchor for the final seconds and all of overtime.

The Fever’s loss came under tough circumstances. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana’s leading scorer of the playoffs, exited in the third quarter with a non-contact injury and did not return. Before her departure, Mitchell scored 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Without Mitchell and with Boston sidelined late, the Fever leaned on Odyssey Sims, who delivered 27 points and six assists. The Fever forced overtime, but the Aces’ star trio proved too much.

A’ja Wilson dominated with 35 points and 8 rebounds, while Jackie Young added 32 points and 10 assists. Together, they carried Las Vegas past a resilient Fever squad that had already been playing without star guard Caitlin Clark and forward Sophie Cunningham, both out for the season.

Aces Head to Finals

The win secured the Aces’ spot in the WNBA Finals for the third time in four years, where they will face the Phoenix Mercury. For Indiana, the loss ended a postseason run that surprised many. After finishing sixth in the standings, the Fever upset the Atlanta Dream in the first round and pushed Las Vegas to the brink.

Despite the exit, Boston’s impact was undeniable. She averaged a double-double during the series and gave the Fever a fighting chance in nearly every game. Still, it was her celebration, turned against her, that became the night’s lasting image.