Aces Crush Fever 102-85 in Game 1 as A'ja Wilson Erupts for 38 Points

Q: Can the injury-plagued Liberty pull off a shocking first-round upset against the title-favorite Lynx in this 2024 Finals rematch?

Yes, but it would still be a real upset. New York is not a typical No. 8 seed. Even through an injury-disrupted season, the Liberty still have championship experience, star power in Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, and they won the regular-season series against Minnesota 2-1. They also just beat the Lynx 93-81 last week, and Minnesota enters the playoffs after a shaky stretch in which it lost four of five before the finale. That recent form is the clearest reason to think the matchup is more dangerous for the Lynx than a normal 1-vs.-8 series. The problem for New York is health and depth. Stewart was held out of the regular-season finale with left knee soreness, Jones left that game after twisting her left ankle, and Satou Sabally is out for the season. That is a major burden against the league’s most balanced team. Minnesota finished 33-11, owns home-court advantage, ranks near the top of the WNBA in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and now has a deep core built around Olivia Miles, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Natasha Howard and Napheesa Collier. Even with some late defensive slippage, the Lynx have been the league’s most consistent team over the full season. So the path is there for New York if Stewart and Jones are healthy enough, Ionescu controls tempo, and the Liberty’s veteran shot-making steals a game early. But based on form, depth and health, Minnesota remains the deserved favorite in this rematch.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 27

Las Vegas seized a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three first-round series, building a lead as large as 27 points and controlling Indiana for most of the second half.
A'ja Wilson powered the rout with 38 points and 16 rebounds, while the Aces' physical defense smothered a Fever offense that had entered the playoffs as the WNBA's highest-scoring unit.
Caitlin Clark finished with 15 points and 10 assists but shot 6-of-18, committed six turnovers and picked up five fouls; Kelsey Mitchell added 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
Aliyah Boston scored 18 points and Sophie Cunningham added 13 off the bench for Indiana, which now returns home for Tuesday's Game 2 needing a win to avoid elimination.