Fri Sep 26 23:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Fever Face Uphill Battle Against Aces’ Championship Experience in Semifinal Series
**INDIANAPOLIS** – The Indiana Fever are facing a steep learning curve as they navigate their semifinal series against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. While the Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, are drawing on their championship experience, the Fever are relying on resilience and adjustments after splitting the first two games in Las Vegas. Game 3 tips off in Indianapolis on Friday night.
“Every game requires a different version of ourselves,” Fever coach Stephanie White said, emphasizing the heightened intensity and execution needed in the playoffs. “Most of our group hasn’t been through this before.”
The Aces, however, know that past victories don’t guarantee future success. “Every night, you have to come out and do the same work, and hopefully do it better than you did the night before,” said Aces coach Becky Hammon.
Aces forward A’ja Wilson emphasized the importance of setting the tone early, something they failed to do in Game 1 but corrected in Game 2. “There comes a point where you have to be so strong-willed…energy level has to be there that at some point you break the other team with your energy and your execution,” Hammon explained.
For the Fever to even the series at home, they need to limit Wilson’s impact and unlock more offensive options, especially for leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell. Indiana also need to cut the turnovers and dominate the paint with Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard as they did in Game 1.
With injuries limiting their options, the Fever will also need a key contribution from an unexpected player to gain an edge against the Aces.
The series is proving to be a physical one, with both teams battling for every possession. As the series shifts to Indianapolis, the Fever hope to harness the energy of their home crowd and find a way to overcome the Aces’ championship pedigree.
First Piper 