The Las Vegas Aces Advance to the Finals

Let’s start with Indiana and Sims. She had an amazing semifinal, an outstanding performance by the veteran guard. Sims started the season with the Los Angeles Sparks and played 12 games, averaging 9.8 points per game. Then the Sparks waived her and she ended up getting picked up by the Fever due to injuries and the rest is history. The Fever benefited from her game and leadership. There is no doubt she needs to be on a roster permanently next season. In Game 5 of the semifinals, she finished with 27 points, six assists, one steal, two rebounds and played 41 minutes.

That was one factor the Aces couldn’t figure out how to stop Sims. Odyssey was unstoppable from the 3-point line and attacking the rim. Another veteran guard, who was a key factor for the Fever, is Shey Peddy. She finished with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists. Two guards that the Aces had a hard time guarding. Two individuals who deserve to be on a permanent roster next season.

The Fever post-presence was also dominant. Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston duo was a tough assignment for the Aces. This dynamic duo finished Game 5 with Howard scoring 16 points and seven rebounds, five assists and playing 33 minutes. And Boston finished with 11 points, 16 rebounds and two assists. Boston played 32 minutes before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

We cannot forget about the two-time champions, the Las Vegas Aces’ star duo of A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, who each scored 30 points in Game 5. Wilson finished with 35 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and played 41 minutes. Young scored 32 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, and played 44 minutes. The usual suspects were incredible this series as well, like Chelsea Gray, NaLyssa Smith and Jewell Loyd. The Point Gawd Gray had an astonishing game with 17 points, two rebounds and six assists. Loyd didn’t have an explosive offensive game; however, she contributed to the boards with six rebounds.

The surprising factor in the Aces’ playoff run has been one-time champion Dana Evans. A guard off the bench that the Aces have been needing for the past few years. She brings flow, attacks the rim, defends and is a 3-point threat. Evans brings a spark to the bench and team—the energy they have been missing for years.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas

The Finals are set, with the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury competing for the championship in Game 1 on Friday. Both teams excel in the paint and at the three-point line. Key factors for the Aces to win the championship include strong defense of the three-point area and the paint, which were challenges they faced in the semifinals against the Fever. Meanwhile, the Mercury are much stronger in the paint, led by the phenomenal Alyssa Thomas, who can impact both offense and defense. Coach Becky Hammon might use a different rotation this series due to the impact of Thomas and Satou Sabally.

A strong presence in the paint from Phoenix enables Kiah Stokes, Megan Gustafson, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to get more minutes for the Aces, helping them avoid foul trouble and protect Wilson and Smith. Not only does the Aces have to defend the paint well, they have to worry about one-time champion Kahleah Copper, who attacks the ball and shoots from the three, alongside Sami Whitcomb, who is lethal from the three-point line and veteran two-time champion DeWanna Bonner.

It’s going to be an entertaining Finals filled with intensity, highlights from the three, and a showdown between Thomas and Wilson. 

Tune in on Friday at 8:00 pm ET for Game 1 of the Finals in Vegas.

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