Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray delivered a clutch performance in overtime, propelling her team to an 84-80 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday. The Aces secured the championship title, marking their second in franchise history adn a return to the pinnacle of the league after previously winning in 2022.
The decisive win concludes a compelling WNBA Finals series and sends the Aces back to the championship stage for the third time in the last four years. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, showcased her talent throughout the series, but ultimately the Aces’ experience and Gray’s late-game heroics proved too much to overcome. Gray finished with 21 points and eight assists, including a critical basket in overtime.
The game,played in Indianapolis,was a back-and-forth affair,with both teams trading leads throughout. The Fever fought valiantly, led by Clark’s 24 points, but struggled to maintain consistency against the Aces’ relentless defense.The Aces outscored the Fever 11-6 in the extra period, sealing their championship fate.
“It’s just incredible,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said after the game. “These players, they fought so hard all season long, and to see it pay off like this is just amazing.” The Aces’ championship victory solidifies their position as a WNBA powerhouse and sets the stage for continued success in the years to come. The Fever,despite falling short,demonstrated meaningful growth throughout the season and are poised to become a formidable contender in the league.
