Are we sure the Indiana Fever was the underdog here? They started the game with the intention of dominating. In Game 1 of the semifinal against the Las Vegas Aces, Stephanie White and Co. began like they were the higher-seeded team, leading 19-10 well into the first quarter. However, the referees spoiled White’s mood.

The Aces, led by 4-time MVP A’ja Wilson, creeped back, ending the first quarter with just a 1-point difference at 19-18. The second quarter was once again a cut-to-cut match-up, but the Fever finally started pulling away in the final. In a fast-paced game, Odyssey Sims stole the ball from a bad Jewell Loyd pass and started a fastbreak, but Kelsey Mitchell missed a rare layup. From there, the Aces tried to play end-to-end basketball with Chelsea Gray making a cross-court pass towards Jackie Young, but it missed everyone, including Aliyah Boston, who tried to intercept it.

It seemed a clear out of bounds to the Fever, but to Stephanie White’s surprise, they asked the Aces to inbound the ball. Aliyah Boston went running towards White, apparently saying, “I did not touch it.” Despite the situation not being critical enough for a challenge, White furiously went for it. She took it just in time as Aces almost restarted the play, but it was ultimately worth it. The challenge was successful and a turning point of sorts as the Fever scored 4 points in the final minute, ending the half with a substantial 5-point lead at 41-36.

The referees vs Stephanie White have always been a tussle throughout the season, and it carried over to the playoffs. Playing on the road in Game 1 against the Atlanta Dream, White had to use both of her challenges in the first half. While it was Amy Bonner today, it was third-year official Marcy Williams against the Dream. Williams’ early missteps set the tone, and by the fourth, White snapped, hit with a technical after a sideline eruption that teammates, including Caitlin Clark, had to pull her back from.

“Very frustrating,” White had said after the game. “Very frustrating. Nobody likes to use their challenges in the first half, especially when they’re successful.”

Yeah, it was the same Clark who was later fined $200 for her comment against the referees on Instagram. “Refs couldn’ stop us.” We only got this information because Clark further mocked the fine on her Twitter. “Got fined $200 for this lol,” Clark wrote. “BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!” So imagine how fumed White must be for Clark to stop her! Aces–Fever is built for friction, expect more heat as this semifinal turns chippy.

Wilson vs Boston gets bruising as Stephanie White battles the whistle

The Las Vegas Aces vs the Indiana Fever is turning out to be an extremely physical game in parts. Part of the reason is that the A’ja Wilson vs Aliyah Boston is such an important match-up for the entire series. The former Gamecocks are both commanders of the paint, and the battle there is always physical. We have already discussed throughout the season how the WNBA allows more physicality than many would prefer, and Game 1 already had a couple of such moments.

Aliyah Boston went head-to-head against Aliyah Boston, trying to use her physicality to get to the rim. She rammed against the 4-time MVP multiple times and finally got a shot off, but in the process, she elbowed Wilson and thus earned a foul. It was a pretty hard hit on Wilson’s face, but the next time she was at the other end but the foul call never came. With seconds left in the half, Wilson tried to cut and shoved Lexie Hull off the line; Hull barked for a whistle, but the refs let it ride.

And it’s not about the referees siding with the Aces either. Becky Hammon had her share of protests in Game 1. She even pantomimed the travel she wanted, furious, emphatic, and impossible to miss. As the media, the fans, and multiple players and coaches said throughout the season, the current referees are just not enough. These are playoff referees, which means they are experienced enough to call the most important games. Despite that, we still have such decisions.