Aces' Bench Player Turns Game Into Bar Fight

The Las Vegas Aces are proving that even when your superstar is having an off night, your "gears" can still get the job done. The Aces took a commanding 2-1 lead in the WNBA semifinals against the Indiana Fever, winning 84-72, thanks to a massive fourth-quarter surge led by reserve guard Dana Evans. The victory puts the Fever on the brink of elimination and moves the Aces one win closer to their fourth WNBA Finals in six seasons.

A Star in the Making

Aces coach Becky Hammon likes to call Evans "gears," and she showed why. The Aces were nursing a tight two-point lead when Evans put the game into overdrive, spurring a crucial 10-2 run that blew the game wide open. She finished with 10 points and five assists, but it was her ability to change speeds and create havoc that made the difference.

"That's my thing, stopping-and-going is hard to guard," Evans said, a perfect summary of her ability to keep defenders on their toes. She was relentless, driving to the basket, finding open teammates, and then putting the pedal to the metal when the moment called for it.

A'ja Wilson's Night Off

For the Fever, it was a night of frustration. They managed to hold four-time MVP A'ja Wilson in check, limiting her to a mere 13 points on 20 shots. But the rest of the Aces showed up in a big way, shooting 60% from the field and proving that they're a well-oiled machine that can win even when their best player is struggling.

The Aces also found their defensive swagger in the fourth quarter, holding the Fever to just three points in the first seven minutes of the final period. The team was flying all over the court, creating turnovers and limiting the Fever's fast-break opportunities.

The Aces are now one win away from a trip to the WNBA Finals, and with A'ja Wilson unlikely to have two bad shooting games in a row, the rest of the league should be very, very nervous.