WNBA Semifinals Preview: Wilson’s Historic Series Carries Las Vegas, Indiana’s Season Ends / sportsearchers.com

The WNBA semifinals begin Sunday, and three of the four remaining teams feature former Gamecocks — guaranteeing South Carolina representation in the WNBA Finals, even as Indiana’s season has officially come to a close.

A Season Already Over for Several Gamecocks

Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago), Zia Cooke (Seattle), and Sania Feagin (Portland) all missed the playoffs, with Cooke and Feagin sidelined by injuries. Now, Aliyah Boston, Bree Hall, Ty Harris (also injured), and Raven Johnson have seen their Indiana Fever season end as well.

Indiana Falls to Las Vegas Again

Indiana pushed Las Vegas to an elimination game but “wilted down the stretch in the final game,” falling in the series. Aliyah Boston was outstanding throughout, shooting 58.1% from the floor and 45.5% from three, with the analysis noting she “probably needed to get more shots.” Raven Johnson emerged as one of Indiana’s most effective players in the series, finishing with strong plus/minus numbers across all three games — a role she only earned following Tyasha Harris’ season-ending injury, a tough twist for the team even as it opened the door for Johnson’s breakout stretch.

A’ja Wilson’s Historic Series

The headline story of the opening round belongs to A’ja Wilson, who “went GOAT-mode” against Indiana, averaging 32.0 points on 64.6% shooting. In Game 1, she became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 75% shooting in a single game, finishing with 38 points and 16 rebounds. She closed the series with 36 points on 61% shooting in the clinching game. Across the series, Wilson shot an elite 79% on contested shots and now holds the second-most playoff double-doubles in WNBA history, with seven 30-point playoff double-doubles — more than double second-place Breanna Stewart’s three. The analysis didn’t hold back on Wilson’s MVP case: “The WNBA has not announced when it will officially award Wilson her fifth MVP. If she doesn’t win, the league needs to change the voting process.”

Atlanta Dream (#4 Seed) vs. New York

Led by Allisha Gray, who posted back-to-back 22-point performances to close the regular season, Atlanta enters the semifinals carrying momentum after winning its final two matchups against New York by double figures. Despite attention often going to Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard, the analysis credits Gray as the team’s true engine: “Gray is still the motor that Atlanta runs on. She makes the clutch baskets and the clutch stops.”

Semifinal schedule: Oct. 4 (2:00 ET, ABC), Oct. 7 (7:30 ET, ESPN), Oct. 9 at New York (7:30 ET, ESPN2), with Games 4-5 if necessary.

Golden State Valkyries (#2 Seed) vs. Las Vegas

Laeticia Amihere fell out of Golden State’s rotation during the first round but may see an expanded role against Las Vegas, a team that swept the Valkyries 3-0 in the regular season — setting up a tough semifinal test.

Semifinal schedule: Oct. 4 (4:00 ET, NBC/Peacock), Oct. 7 (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBCSN), Oct. 9 at Las Vegas (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBCSN), with Games 4-5 if necessary.

Las Vegas Aces (#3 Seed) vs. Golden State

Fresh off Wilson’s dominant first-round performance, Las Vegas advances to face Golden State in a rematch of sorts, given the regular-season sweep. Developmental player Ta’Niya Latson remained inactive throughout the first round but stays on the roster as depth.

Semifinal schedule: Oct. 4 at Golden State (4:00 ET, NBC/Peacock), Oct. 7 at Golden State (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBCSN), Oct. 9 vs Golden State (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBCSN), with Games 4-5 if necessary.

With Wilson’s historic form carrying Las Vegas and Atlanta riding momentum behind Gray, South Carolina’s championship pedigree remains well-represented as the semifinals get underway.