The Indiana Fever made an impressive statement in Game One of the Semifinals series against the Las Vegas Aces. They certainly didn't show any signs of intimidation going up against the No.2 seed and the league's 2025 MVP, A'ja Wilson despite being the underdog once again. The Fever took the series during the regular season against Las Vegas, but they are very aware that what happened in the regular season doesn't matter now. Head coach Stephanie White emphasized the importance of containing Wilson, which will require a strong defensive effort from her two-time All-Star, Aliyah Boston. Turns out, Boston had no problem being disruptive and "annoying" towards Wilson, as she mentioned in an interview with ESPN after the first quarter in Sunday's game.
The Fever's success relied heavily on veteran leadership and a strong defensive game, which is exactly how it went for them. Most of it fell on Boston, who got the best of Wilson for most of the game. Wilson was presented to fans before the game as this year's MVP winner. Aliyah Boston held her to 16 points and forced a 6-of-22 shooting performance from the field. Wilson has been averaging 23.4 points per game throughout much of the regular season. Boston would have liked to put up more offense for Indiana after finishing with just six points. She did, however, add 11 crucial rebounds. Her teammates handled the offensive side of the ball, while Boston shut things down inside the paint defensively—which is often a key to beating the Aces.
Boston vs. Wilson is always a fun matchup
Boston and Wilson both share a South Carolina pedigree having played under head coach Dawn Staley, which makes their matchups even more fun. Both are dominant under the rim making this series an intriguing one to watch. Boston also emphasized that making her presence felt is what is needed to rattle Wilson and hopes that she begins forcing many of her shots. The Aces didn't have the best start to 2025 and at one point broke even with a .500 record. But something clicked and they went on a 17-game winning streak, which ultimately led to Wilson being the recipient of this year's MVP award. She put the team on her back during a time of struggle and reaped the rewards.
Boston did well in Game One by limiting mistakes against Wilson and not giving her several second-chance opportunities. The Aces could never get a consistent rhythm going and trailed by as many as 15 at one point. Coach White made it very clear that once Wilson gets going, there isn't much that anyone can do to stop her or slow her down.
Boston approached Sunday’s game with grit and determination, leading to her many personal victories on defense. However, the aggressiveness and anxiousness she showed when standing tall in the paint should make the Fever more cautious of potential foul trouble—especially when guarding a player like Wilson, who averages just under eight free-throw attempts per game. It’s a very tall task for Indiana, and the team will have to keep up the tempo for the remainder of the series and not allow Las Vegas to feel like it has a shot after all. The Fever’s chances of punching a ticket to the Finals will hinge on Boston’s continued success in her matchup with A’ja Wilson.