Aces flip the script in Game 2 as Smith shines against former team

The Las Vegas Aces had one goal tonight - to even their WNBA semifinal series before heading to Indianapolis. They accomplished that mission by defeating the Indiana Fever, 90-68, Tuesday, Sept. 23 from the Michelob Ultra Arena. 

Nearly everything about Game 2 was a return to form for Las Vegas compared to Game 1. The defense got stops, the assists totals nearly doubled and forward A’ja Wilson looked the part of a recent-four time MVP with 25 points and nine rebounds.

A special game ball tonight, however, belongs to forward NaLyssa Smith. She was a presence that was sorely missed in the series opener, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds.

“When you’re on a team where winning is the standard it raises your level of focus,” Smith said. 

The Fever drafted Smith No. 2 overall in 2022. After playing three seasons there, she moved to the Dallas Wings this offseason before being traded to Las Vegas in late June.

Smith cracked a smile when addressing a return to Indiana in Game 3.

“They always have a great crowd,” Smith said. “It’s just going to be different being on the other side of things.” 

Head coach Becky Hammon pulled her starters out of the game with four minutes left to play in regulation. After the game she acknowledged the turnaround effort. 

“Different people on different nights, that’s what makes them so difficult,” Hammon said, “When they’re all together, pick one. It’s hard […] because three other ones are coming at ya.”

That description matches the team’s entire Game 2 performance. Five players finished in double figures scoring, aided by guard Chelsea Gray’s 10 assists. The Aces’ bench outscored the Fever’s, 24-6. 

A Hammon timeout 45 seconds into the third quarter proved to be the final turning point. 

Following an inbounds turnover and five quick Indiana points, Hammon quickly righted the ship. A double-digit halftime lead was down to eight, but it never got closer than that.

Las Vegas finished the quarter with a 22-12 scoring advantage, and grew its lead to as much as 26 in the fourth.

The Fever’s MVP finalist, guard Kelsey Mitchell, cooled off with 13 points on 4–of-14 shooting. Guard Odyssey Sims led Indiana scorers with 18, while all-star forward Aliyah Boston had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Both coaches commented on the flow and physicality of the game, with Hammon calling the latter “out of control.” Her counterpart Stephanie White expressed similar frustration while also crediting the home team’s adjustments. 

“It’s hard for us to find flow when there’s a foul called every ten seconds,” she said. “They were much more aggressive and physical defensively, and we didn’t counter that.”

The series now heads to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 Friday, Sept. 26, a building that has seen its fair share of playoff moments in 2025. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.