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Defending champs are back in the semifinals: How the Aces eliminated the Fever
Confirmed
In Short: The Las Vegas Aces clinched their spot in the WNBA semifinals with a 94-83 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 3.
The Las Vegas Aces secured their place in the WNBA semifinals with a decisive 94-83 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 3 at Michelob Ultra Arena.
In a hard-fought series, the Aces overcame the Fever's strong performance in Game 2 to clinch the series 2-1.
A'ja Wilson, the four-time MVP, led the Aces with a game-high 34 points, while Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young contributed 23 and 18 points respectively.
The Aces' victory extended their home winning streak to five games and marked their eighth consecutive season reaching the semifinals.
The Fever's Caitlin Clark had a standout performance with 27 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the Aces' veteran leadership.
Despite the Fever's high-scoring offense, the Aces managed to contest their shooting lanes, holding the Fever below their regular-season average.
Head coach Becky Hammon praised the team's effort, noting the impressive offense of the Fever and the need for relentless defense.
The Aces will face the winner of the Golden State Valkyries-Dallas Wings series in the semifinals, with the game set for Sunday.
WarpBeat's previous coverage noted the Aces' consistent performance in the playoffs, but this series highlighted their ability to respond to challenges.
The Aces' experience and championship mindset were evident as they overcame the Fever's strong Game 2 performance to clinch the series.
With the Aces advancing, the focus now shifts to their upcoming semifinals matchup, where their veteran leadership and championship pedigree will be put to the test.
What this adds
The Aces' victory in Game 3 solidifies their status as the reigning champions and their consistent playoff performers, as noted by WNBA legend Candace Parker.
The series against the Fever showcased the Aces' ability to adapt and respond to challenges, with Wilson and Gray's combined 59 points being pivotal in the decisive game.
The Aces' next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Golden State Valkyries-Dallas Wings series, adding another layer of anticipation to the semifinals.
Background
The Las Vegas Aces clinched their spot in the WNBA semifinals with a 94-83 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 3.
What's confirmed
- The reigning WNBA champions are headed back to the semifinals.
What's still developing
- "From the beginning, I was telling everyone, 'Hey, we've got to set the tone. We have to hit first, we have to show that we're not just going to allow [the Aces] to run any play, get into any sets easy,'" Hines-Allen said.
- For all of their championship experience, the Aces seemed a bit flustered in Game 2, both by the intensity and pace with which the Fever were playing and the atmosphere inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Since the Aces began this dynastic run in 2022, they have only lost back-to-back playoff games once (Games 1 and 2 of the 2024 semis).
- In Game 3, will the reigning-champion Aces defend their home court and keep their repeat quest alive?
- Or will the Fever pull off the upset on the road to complete the comeback?
- I picked Indiana to win the series in three a few days ago, and after what I saw from the Fever in Game 2, I'm going to stick to that decision -- despite the Aces having home-court advantage, far more championship experience and the best player in the world, A'ja Wilson.
- Starting is nothing new for Loyd, who did so for most of her WNBA career, but she has found her niche more coming off the bench with the Aces.
- Like Kareem said above, that can only be described as a disappointment -- they finished in the exact same seeding they did a year ago and were eliminated one series earlier.
- No matter the circumstances and no matter who they are facing, you know exactly what to expect from those three players: domination. -- Andrews Looking ahead, how might the Aces match up against the Wings or Valkyries?
- The Fever had the WNBA's highest-scoring offense this season -- breaking multiple records -- but were again held below their 96.0 points-per-game average in the regular season.
- Wilson, who surpassed 1,250 playoff points, led an offensive attack that featured four players in double figures, including Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd, as the Aces claimed their 11th playoff series victory in the past five seasons.
- Aces guard Justine Pissott posted about her experience as a sexual assault survivor amid the investigation into seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University.