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Wilson leaves fan drama on 'back burner,' drops 36 points as Aces oust Fever
Developing
In Short: The Aces' victory in Game 3 was led by Wilson, who played 37 minutes, and the contributions of guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, who combined for 41 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds.
A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces secured their playoff series win over the Indiana Fever, advancing to the next round of the WNBA playoffs.
Wilson, who earned a technical foul in Game 2 for an incident with a fan, said she would not dwell on the confrontation.
Guard Jewell Loyd also made a significant impact, scoring 11 points and playing 35 minutes.
The Aces are now in familiar territory, having won three of the past four WNBA championships.
This is the sixth season that Wilson, Gray, and Young have played together, and the Aces are seeking their fourth WNBA title, which would tie them with the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and Houston Comets.
What's still developing
- "I have my days. I have my moments because I'm human," Wilson said about the incident in the Ace's Game 2 loss in Indianapolis, where she earned a technical foul but no subsequent discipline from the league.
- The Aces will start that best-of-five series in San Francisco if the No. 2 seed Valkyries win or Las Vegas will host Games 1 and 2 if the No. 7 Wings prevail.
- But after the Fever got the ball back, Mitchell missed a shot and then was called for a loose ball foul that the Fever challenged.
- "You've got to give credit to the Aces," Clark said.
- Wilson, who is expected to be named the WNBA's MVP for the fifth time, said Tuesday's incident is not something she will dwell upon.
- They advanced Thursday in the same way they've claimed those titles: Wilson led the way, with guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young alongside her.
- Guard Jewell Loyd moved into the starting lineup, and Aces coach Becky Hammon let Gray and Young know to prepare for a long work shift.
- "You're not coming out until you tell me you need [to]." Young and Gray indeed played 40 minutes, combining for 41 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds.