LAS VEGAS — Former Indiana Fever developmental player Justine Pissott made an immediate impact for the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday, hitting a WNBA-record five 3-pointers in her professional debut and scoring 19 points as the Aces rolled past the Phoenix Mercury, 106-58.
From Fever roster decision to record-setting night
Pissott signed a standard contract with Las Vegas after the Fever opted not to match the offer sheet, a move that kept Indiana’s roster intact but cost the club a prospect it had drafted in the second round this spring. The 6-foot-4 forward from Vanderbilt drilled two deep triples in her first professional minute — a 28-foot shot and a 29-footer — and finished 7-for-8 from the floor, 5-for-6 from long range.
"I would definitely say I was nervous... But everyone kept telling me to shoot the ball when you go in, play with confidence, and then coach Becky was just like, 'Go in there and do what you do,' and I feel like when she told me that, I kind of just like, 'OK,' and I just breathed. And then I just played my game."
The Aces (17-6) led comfortably and Pissott played the entire fourth quarter after Las Vegas held a 79-36 advantage through three periods. The Aces host the Fever (13-9) Sunday at 9 p.m., setting up a quick rematch between Pissott and the team that passed on matching her deal.
Numbers from the debut
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Points | 19 |
| 3-pointers made | 5 (WNBA debut record) |
| Field goals | 7-for-8 |
The five made 3-pointers are the most by any player in her WNBA debut. Pissott’s performance included several high-difficulty shots from beyond the arc and came in limited minutes early in her pro career, underscoring the potential the Aces saw when signing her.
Implications for the Fever and roster strategy
Fever coach Stephanie White acknowledged the difficult trade-offs inherent in development contracts, saying the team ultimately chose to keep an active roster spot rather than match the offer. The decision highlights the challenge for teams that use developmental slots to cultivate talent while also managing present roster needs.
- For the Fever: The appearance raises questions about the value of holding development players versus investing roster spots.
- For Pissott: A breakout first game could secure more playing time and a defined role with a championship-caliber club.
- For fans: Sunday’s matchup gives Indiana supporters a close-up look at how the team’s personnel decisions play out on the court.
Pissott’s quick rise from a developmental pick to a record-setting contributor with the Aces will be a storyline to watch when Las Vegas hosts Indiana, and it puts a spotlight on how WNBA contract mechanics can rapidly alter a player’s trajectory and a team’s depth.
Coverage will continue as Sunday’s game approaches and the Fever assess how the loss of a developmental player factors into their playoff push and long-term roster planning.
