Kelsey Mitchell dropped 34 points to lift the Indiana Fever past the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals—then couldn’t finish the series. By Game 5, a rhabdomyolysis episode left her unable to move her legs on the court, and the Aces closed out the series in overtime, 107-98, advancing to their third WNBA Finals in four years.

Game 1 Score: Fever 89-73 Aces · Mitchell Points (Game 1): 34 · Game 5 Score: Aces 107-98 Fever (OT) · Series: 5 games

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact calendar date of Game 5 (only “September 2025” confirmed)
  • Whether Mitchell’s rhabdomyolysis causes any long-term complications
  • Nature of Caitlin Clark’s season-ending injury
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Mitchell recovery timeline unknown
  • Aces face WNBA Finals opponent
  • Fever face offseason roster decisions
Label Value
Series Status Completed (Aces won 3-2)
Game 1 Winner Indiana Fever (89-73)
Top Scorer Game 1 Kelsey Mitchell 34 pts
Game 5 Winner Las Vegas Aces (107-98 OT)
Mitchell Regular Season PPG 20.2
Mitchell Playoff PPG 22.3 across 8 games
Series Length 5 games
Fever Injury Count Game 1 6 players

How did Kelsey Mitchell get hurt in Game 5?

Mitchell’s night ended far differently than her Game 1 masterpiece. During the third quarter of Game 5, after Aliyah Boston drew her fifth foul, Mitchell grabbed her leg and was ruled out with what the team initially described as lower-body cramping (ESPN injury report). She later revealed the diagnosis was rhabdomyolysis—a condition that causes muscle breakdown and, in her words, left her unable to move her legs on the court (ESPN series recap).

A stretcher was brought onto the court but ultimately was not used (ESPN series recap). Mitchell described the episode starkly: “I played literally until my wheels fell off,” she said (ESPN series recap). The exact date of Game 5 remains unclear—sources only confirm it occurred in September 2025, with reports noting it took place on a Tuesday.

Injury details from Game 1

Injury concerns surrounded the Fever from the outset of the series. Entering Game 1, Las Vegas had zero players on the injured list while Indiana had six players sidelined, including Caitlin Clark (ESPN series recap). Despite the injury woes, Mitchell played through discomfort in the opening game and delivered her 34-point performance.

The catch

Mitchell averaged 22.3 points across 8 playoff games but couldn’t finish the series. The Fever had five players out for the season, including their franchise star.

What are Caitlin Clark’s current stats?

Caitlin Clark’s 2025 season was severely cut short. She appeared in only 13 games during the regular season due to injury, missing the majority of the schedule (CBS Sports Game 1 recap). Her absence loomed over the entire series against the Aces, as the Fever operated without their most high-profile player for much of the year.

Performance vs Aces

Without Clark in the lineup for most games, the Fever leaned heavily on Mitchell. The contrast was stark: Mitchell averaged 20.2 points during the regular season and 22.3 points across eight playoff games, carrying an offense that lacked its usual firepower (ESPN series recap). Sources do not specify Clark’s exact injury diagnosis beyond confirming it was season-ending.

Who is the best player on the Las Vegas Aces?

The Aces’ dynasty is anchored by four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, whose dominance throughout the series proved decisive in the clinching game. Wilson’s ability to impact both ends of the floor allowed Las Vegas to overcome Mitchell’s 34-point Game 1 explosion and eventually close out the series in overtime.

A’ja Wilson dominance

Wilson entered the series as the reigning league MVP, and her performance validated that status. The Aces advanced to their third WNBA Finals in four years after the Game 5 victory (ESPN series recap). While specific box score breakdowns for Games 2-4 remain unavailable in verified sources, the outcome reflects the gap between a healthy Aces roster and a depleted Fever squad.

What are the Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces match player stats?

The series delivered dramatic statistical swings. Game 1 saw the Fever dominate wire-to-wire, leading 19-22-28-20 to the Aces’ 18-18-19-18 in quarter-by-quarter scoring (ESPN PH box score). Mitchell scored 28 of her 34 points through the first three quarters alone, posting the first 30-plus point playoff game for a Fever player since the 2012 WNBA Finals (CBS Sports Game 1 recap).

Game 1 leaders

Beyond Mitchell’s heroics, Odyssey Sims contributed 17 points and Natasha Howard added 12 points in the Game 1 victory (CBS Sports Game 1 recap). The Fever’s balanced attack overwhelmed a shorthanded Aces defense that had no answer for Indiana’s offensive flow.

Game 5 comparisons

Game 5 ended differently: the Aces shot efficiently and closed strong in overtime, winning 107-98 (ESPN series recap). Mitchell was unavailable for the decisive stretch, and the Fever couldn’t maintain their first-game intensity without her on the floor.

Game 1 key player scoring breakdown
Player Points Role
Kelsey Mitchell 34 Lead scorer, 28 pts in first 3 quarters
Odyssey Sims 17 Secondary scorer
Natasha Howard 12 Frontcourt contributor

The implication: Indiana’s supporting cast delivered just enough in Game 1, but the absence of depth became fatal once Mitchell went down in Game 5.

Is the Fever better without Caitlin Clark?

The data presents a complicated answer. The Fever won their first playoff series in a decade against Atlanta, rallying from a 1-0 deficit (ESPN series recap). Yet without Clark for most of the season, Indiana lacked the offensive depth to sustain success against a fully healthy Aces roster. Mitchell’s 34-point Game 1 showed what this team could accomplish with star-level production—but that depended entirely on her availability.

Training camp update

The Fever’s offseason will involve significant roster evaluation. With five players out for the season including Clark and Damiris Dantas (who missed the playoffs with a concussion per ESPN injury report), Indiana faces questions about player health heading into the next campaign.

Why this matters

Mitchell, 29, is a former Ohio State star from the Cincinnati area who made her third All-Star Game in 2025 and finished fifth in MVP voting. Her health determines whether the Fever can build on their first playoff series win in a decade.

Series Timeline

  • Fever return to playoffs for first time since 2016
  • Game 1 — Fever 89-73 win, Mitchell 34 pts
  • Game 2 scheduled (Tuesday 9:30 p.m.)
  • Game 5 — Mitchell rhabdomyolysis injury, Aces win 107-98 OT
  • Aces advance to third WNBA Finals in four years

Confirmed

  • Game 1 final score: 89-73 Fever win
  • Mitchell scored 34 points in Game 1
  • Mitchell averaged 20.2 PPG regular season
  • Mitchell averaged 22.3 PPG across 8 playoff games
  • Game 5 was 107-98 Aces win in overtime
  • Series lasted 5 games
  • Fever had six injured players entering Game 1
  • Aces advanced to third Finals in four years

Unclear

  • Exact calendar date of Game 5
  • Long-term implications of Mitchell’s rhabdomyolysis
  • Nature of Caitlin Clark’s season-ending injury
  • Full box scores for Games 2-4
  • Aces player-by-player series statistics

Key quotes

“I played literally until my wheels fell off.”

— Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever Guard (ESPN series recap)

“Thank you for the prayers, love, respect, and support throughout all of this.”

— Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever Guard (ESPN series recap)

“This team never quit.”

— Fever head coach, post-Game 1 interview (CBS Sports Game 1 recap)

Mitchell’s post-injury message acknowledged the support she received while hinting at the severity of what she endured. Her 34-point Game 1 performance remains the statistical highlight of the series, achieved despite the team entering the matchup with six injured players.

Bottom line

Kelsey Mitchell delivered one of the most memorable playoff performances in recent Fever history with her 34-point Game 1 showing—then had her series cut short by rhabdomyolysis in the decisive Game 5. The Aces’ depth and health prevailed over Indiana’s depleted roster, but Mitchell’s individual excellence validated her fifth-place MVP finish and All-Star selection. For the Fever faithful, the offseason priority is clear: get Mitchell, Clark, and the injured core healthy, or face another year of shortened bench consequences.

Related reading: Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers Match Player Stats · 49ers vs Colts Match Player Stats

Additional sources

youtube.com, espn.com

The Fever’s gritty performance recalls their narrow 89-87 defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks in the 89-87 Sparks matchup, highlighting consistent individual leaders amid tight scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Aces vs Fever Game 1 score?

The Indiana Fever defeated the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on September 22, 2025.

What were the team stats for Fever vs Aces series?

The series lasted 5 games with the Aces winning 3-2. Game 1: Fever 89-73 win. Game 5: Aces 107-98 overtime win. Mitchell averaged 22.3 playoff points across 8 games.

Who won Aces vs Fever Game 1?

The Indiana Fever won Game 1 89-73, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 34 points.

What are A’ja Wilson’s playoff stats against the Fever?

Wilson helped the Aces win the series in Game 5, advancing to their third WNBA Finals in four years. Specific game-by-game scoring was not fully detailed in verified sources.

Is Kelsey Mitchell playing in Game 3?

Mitchell suffered rhabdomyolysis in Game 5 and was ruled out for the remainder of that game. Her availability for future games beyond the 2025 series was not specified in available sources.

How did the Fever perform without key players?

The Fever entered Game 1 with six injured players including Caitlin Clark (who played only 13 games in 2025). Despite the absences, they won Game 1 behind Mitchell’s 34-point effort before the series ended in Game 5.