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For the second consecutive year, the Las Vegas Aces ended the Indiana Fever's season.
's season — this time with a 94-83 win in Game 3 on Thursday night to advance to the semifinals. Reigning MVP A'ja Wilson powered the home team with 36 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Chelsea Gray came alive late to tally 23 alongside five assists while playing the full 40 minutes.
Jackie Young also played the entire game, adding 18 points and 8 rebounds. Indiana's big three of , Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston couldn't replicate their offensive output from Game 2, combining for 60 points. The game was physical and fast-paced from the start, and Clark caught fire early — usually a sign she and the Fever are in for a good night.
She tallied 11 points in the first quarter, but only scored seven more the rest of the game on what ended up being a rough performance from an efficiency standpoint, going 6 for 18 from the field and 3 for 12 from beyond the arc. Mitchell similarly struggled but still put up 23 points, while Boston shot 50% and scored 19, plus 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks.
As a team, the Fever also shot 70% from the free-throw line. The Fever's most efficient shooter on the night was Myisha Hines-Allen off the bench with 12 points, eight of which she scored consecutively in about two minutes in the second quarter. If the Fever trio had one of its worst shooting nights, the Aces' stars had one of their best.
Wilson made 11 of 18 from the field and two of three 3s, and Gray shot 53.3% from the field. Asked after the game about her mindset for this Game 3, Wilson told the broadcast: "I don't want my season to be over, I don't want to go home.
" "They're champions, and that's the spirit that they carry with them," Aces coach Becky Hammon said of her own big three after the game. They'll look to add a fourth trophy in five seasons, and that quest will continue in Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday. The Aces await the winner of Game 3 of the Golden State-Dallas series on Friday.
On the other side of the semifinal bracket, the Atlanta Dream will face the New York Liberty. For the second straight year, the Aces eliminated the Fever in the WNBA playoffs. This is, by the Fever's own standard, a "failure.
" They had championship aspirations, and didn't back down from them in recent days. They had an team to do it, even if there defense leaned more swiss than hard cheddar. But you can't lose sight of to whom they lost. The Aces have three championships in four years.
The only series they have lost is the 2024 semis to the Liberty, a roster built with established veteran MVPs to contend against them. To be the best, one has to beat the best, and that was a tall task for the Fever. Chelsea Gray has been absolutely dominant late. The Fever need to make a huge stop and produce on the other end to stay in this one.
Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Mitchell get tangled up going for a ball, and Gray goes down as Mitchell is called for the personal . The Fever used their last timeout to challenge, and it was unsuccessful.
AdvertisementClark took a Jewell Loyd elbow to the mouth and immediately went down and headed to the locker room The Fever aren't going away yet, and they come within five after a Monique Billings steal and feed to Kelsey Mitchell for the running layup. It feels like the Aces could be about to break this one wide open. They're up nine after Caitlin Clark picks up her fourth personal foul and turns the ball over.
Aliyah Boston fouled A'ja Wilson on a drive to the basket, and she'll look to pad the lead. Fever: Limit A'ja Wilson. You don't stop her, but can you keep her below 10? She's at 29 through three quarters.
Her impact defensively is even more impressive. She's also sitting at four personal fouls. So if you're the Fever, test it when the opportunity arises. Aces: Keep the Fever from running.
When they run, they can score quickly and they tire the Aces out. Making their perimeter attempts difficult certainly helps the cause. Big for both: Keep composure. That's particularly important for the Fever, who have far less experience and are the ones in a hostile environment.
The Fever end the half on a better note, though the Aces were in the driver's seat for most of the third quarter. Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are up to 16 points apiece, while A'ja Wilson has 29. With intensive playoff experience comes knowledge of a) the type of officiating that will occur and b) how to utilize that to your advantage. It's part of the game.
Comes up clutch in these winner-take-alls. The reigning MVP is having herself a game, and Las Vegas is rocking as Indiana takes a timeout. A'ja Wilson has four quick points early in the third quarter, and the Aces have a seven-point lead.
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