Fever’s late-game execution costly in stunning OT loss to Aces
Indiana had the lead in the closing seconds of regulation and overtime, but missed free throws, turnovers and two Chelsea Gray buzzer-beating 3s turned a winnable game into a brutal 86-84 loss.
The Indiana Fever had every opportunity to put this one away.
More than once.
First, the chance to deliver a knock-out blow in the first half. Then, all they needed to do was hold on late.
Instead, a series of costly mistakes and two game-altering 3-pointers from veteran guard Chelsea Gray turned what looked like a Fever season sweep into one of their most stunning losses of the season.
The Fever fell 86-84 in overtime to the Las Vegas Aces Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd (17,274) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as Gray sank a buzzer-beater to force overtime — then did it again in the extra session to leave Indy with the win.
You could point to many different reasons why the Fever lost this one — and you’d be right. The Fever led in the closing seconds of both regulation and overtime. The win was in their grasp.
In the final 10.9 seconds of regulation, Kelsey Mitchell went one for two at the foul line, and Caitlin Clark missed both of her tries. One make would’ve sealed it.
Instead, it left the door ajar — and Gray happily stepped through it.
