'It's a one-game season': Behind Aliyah Boston's big night, Fever force Game 5 in Las Vegas
With Boston’s dominant 24-point, 14-rebound performance and strong guard play, the Fever held off the defending champs to stay alive and move one win away from their first Finals appearance since 2015
Through all the turbulent times, the volume of injuries, roster changes, personal challenges, plus the natural highs and lows of the season, the Indiana Fever are right where they want to be — even if nobody expected them here.
Just one win away from the WNBA Finals.
The Fever have been here before, in fact, exactly a decade ago.
When Stephanie White took over as head coach the first time, in 2015, they went to the finals and lost to the Minnesota Lynx. We were so close to having a potential matchup — of that, and the Commissioner’s Cup — at least until MVP finalist Napheesa Collier got hurt in the final seconds of Game 3, then her Lynx team was outscored 31-13 in the fourth quarter of Game 4 by the Phoenix Mercury.
Now the Mercury await their finals opponent: Indiana or Las Vegas.
Behind the theme “we over me,” this Indiana group has rallied together in big games and challenging circumstances to come out the other side. They play with an edge, and leaning on the support of more than 16,000 strong that enjoyed another Red Out at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon, they came out on top, 90-83, to force a Game 5.
Going into the elimination game — the Fever are now 3-0 in those games this postseason — it starts with their point guard. It’s a significant position, and the one where they have the least depth after losing four primary ball-handlers to injuries.
Starter Odyssey Sims went scoreless in Game 3, shooting 0 for 7, and played fewer minutes (19) than reserve Shey Peddy. Those two both were impactful on Sunday after head coach Stephanie White stressed how they needed more production from that position.
“We’ve got to get downhill,” she said before the game. “We’ve got to make sure, whether it’s O, the ability to create for herself or for her teammates, Shey knocking down shots, making sure that we’re getting high quality, high percentage looks from everybody else, and setting the tone on the defensive end.”
And that’s what they did.
In the second frame, Peddy scored all seven of her points in a row for the Fever. She even responded after throwing one of the worst air-balls you see, immediately turning and putting her hands on her head in disbelief. Like the Fever this season, it’s all about the response.
Like Sims, who put the previous game behind her. She finished with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 5 of 6 at the foul line.
“Didn’t change my mindset, didn’t change anything besides just being more aggressive, making sure we got AB (Aliyah Boston) the ball,” Sims said. “Nobody can stop her down there. Loved her aggression today. We want to carry it over on Tuesday, keep it going so we can get to the finals.”
Boston’s play was instrumental in this win. Already, she’s elevated her play, her intensity level, and physicality this postseason. You can see the growth she’s made in Year 3.
Boston finished with a playoff career-high 24 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in 34 minutes. She was assertive, operated inside and out — but especially inside the paint.
All of Boston’s seven field goals came around the basket, including three on second-chance opportunities. Then when she was fouled, she made 10-of-13 attempts.
Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who tallied 25 points, became the first Fever duo to score at least 20 points in a playoff game, since Tamika Catchings and Shenise Johnson on that 2015 Finals team.