LAS VEGAS -- The No. 3 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 6 seed Indiana Fever meet Thursday for Game 3 of their first-round series, tied 1-1 after the Fever's 99-89 win Tuesday. The Aces have won three of the past four championships; the Fever's lone title came in 2012. Emotions will run high at Michelob Ultra Arena, especially after A'ja Wilson confronted a fan Tuesday. The WNBA hasn't commented on Wilson or teammate Kierstan Bell.
The Fever didn't win in Las Vegas until July 5, an 84-68 victory, then won 109-75 a week later. The Aces dominated the playoff opener 102-85. Now they meet for the sixth and final time in 2026.
Key factors: Can the Fever replicate Tuesday's defense? Indiana ranked ninth in defensive rating during the regular season but held the Aces to 17 points in both the second and third quarters Tuesday. "I thought we played with a back-against-the-wall desperation," coach Stephanie White said.
How well will Wilson play? She was 5-of-11 from the field but 12-of-13 from the line Tuesday. Coach Becky Hammon said defense was the Aces' biggest problem. Can the Fever guards Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell do enough? Clark had 27 points and 15 assists Tuesday.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing