These days, referees have more spotlight than players in the WNBA. It’s not without reason, three coaches, multiple players, and the fanbase are begging the league for a change. But once again, one of their decisions in Game 5 regarding Aliyah Boston might have disqualified the Indiana Fever. To set the scene, Fever had already lost Kelsey Mitchell in the third quarter to severe lower-body cramping, and Boston was on 5 fouls for the final quarter. 

Against all odds, the Fever went on an 8-3 run and finally caught up with the Aces. However, Aliyah Boston was whistled for a 6th foul during a rebound play with only 27.1 seconds left and the game tied at 84-84. White did review it, but the call was eventually upheld. Boston had to watch the final seconds and the overtime from the bench after being central to their success until then. Without Mitchell and Boston, the Fever crumbled in OT, but the third-year forward had a positive outlook after fouling out in probably her most important WNBA game.

“Yeah, I mean, it sucks obviously not being on the court, but when there’s nothing you can do about that, you just pour into other people. High communication, making sure the bench is full of energy, and that’s really what we did. And you know, as it got closer down, it’s about listening; we finished this game out strong. We every single game that we’ve entered and every single game we’ve played, it’s about continue to play and finishing out strong, and that’s exactly what we did. So, I’m proud of us.” Boston told the media after the game. 

It’s a gut punch when you give more than 100% to go toe to toe against the best player in the league, but cannot close it out. She finished Game 5 with an 11-point, 16-rebound double. Boston knew the game had some bite remaining, and they stood a chance only with a positive outlook. It started well, after Young made the free throws, Odyssey Sims answered with a drive down the lane for a layup with 22.5 seconds to go to again tie the game. Young smoked the point-blank look, and Loyd’s putback rimmed out as the buzzer forced overtime.

Unfortunately, there is so much the “bench mob” could do, as the Fever were blown out 21-12 in overtime, struggling in the paint thanks to Boston’s absence. Without the third year forward restricting A’ja Wilson and the outside threat of Kelsey Mitchell, Vegas had few things to be worried about. As heartbreaking as the semifinal finish was, Boston quickly shifted gears from the sting of defeat to the hunger of chasing what lies ahead, the championship stage in 2026

Aliyah Boston Is Already Hunting The 2026 Ring

The expectations from the Indiana Fever and Aliyah Boston started on a high note and eroded with time. Starting off, this was considered a top 3 squad, but then Caitlin Clark suffered repetitive injuries. Boston wasn’t expected to maintain her performance without Clark’s passes along with the Fever. Boston moulded and improved through all the injuries and adapted to multiple point guards. She led the Fever to a Game 5 semifinal appearance despite the precarious situation, but Boston is still not satisfied. 

“For me, a championship’s always on my mind. I think no matter what happens, like obviously you hate losing, but you kind of started with your question with just the progression that it’s been. And so for me, obviously, that’s my mindset. We got a taste of it, game five semi-finals, and now we want the real thing. And that’s honestly going to be our mindset coming in for next year.” Boston said after the game. 

Fever will likely retain their core for the 2026 season (if it happens). Caitlin Clark and Boston are still on their rookie contracts, and Mitchell is eligible to be cored. That completes the big 3. The rest of the squad depends on how the CBA situation pans out, which was blown up by Napheesa Collier just yesterday. In any case, there will be a major free agency bake sale, and the Fever can practically get anyone they want, leveraging their team atmosphere and the success of 2025. Even if there aren’t any major upgrades, they won’t be counted out because of the 2025 fairytale.