A’ja Wilson wasn’t letting anything distract her.
The four-time WNBA MVP delivered another dominant playoff performance Thursday night, scoring 36 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as the defending champion Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever 94–83 in Game 3, eliminating Indiana from the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
Wilson shot 11-of-18 from the field and scored 21 points in the first half as Las Vegas controlled the game for much of the night.
The Aces advance to the WNBA semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Golden State Valkyries–Dallas Wings series.
For the Fever, the season ends in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year.
A’ja Wilson Takes Over
Wilson came out aggressive from the opening tip, giving the Aces the offensive force they needed in a win-or-go-home game.
After opening the series with 38 points and 16 rebounds in Game 1, Wilson followed it up with another 30-plus-point performance to close out the Fever.
She also finished the night with two blocked shots.
Chelsea Gray added 23 points, while Jackie Young posted 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, playing all 40 minutes.
Jewell Loyd, making her first start of the series because of Stephanie Talbot’s leg injury, contributed 11 points.
Fever Make It Interesting
Indiana refused to go quietly.
The Aces built a 67–55 lead in the third quarter before going cold offensively. The Fever took advantage and twice cut the deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter.
But Las Vegas responded when it mattered most.
The Aces closed the game out and secured their second consecutive playoff elimination of Indiana.
Caitlin Clark’s Season Ends
Caitlin Clark finished with 18 points, scoring 11 in the first quarter before the Aces limited her to seven points over the remainder of the game and she finished shooting just 6-18 from the floor.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 23 points, although she shot 7-of-23 from the field.
Aliyah Boston added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Clark also took an accidental elbow to the mouth late in the fourth quarter while battling Jewell Loyd for a rebound. She briefly left the court while bleeding but returned to the game.
After the game, Clark credited Las Vegas.
“We’ve got to give credit to the Aces. I thought they played well. I thought they were ready to go. That’s what championship teams do.”
Another Fever-Aces Playoff Ending
This is now the second consecutive season in which Las Vegas has ended Indiana’s playoff run.
The teams met in the 2025 WNBA semifinals, with the Aces winning the decisive Game 5 in overtime.
This year’s matchup required only three games after Indiana won Game 2, 99–89, to force the deciding contest.
The Aces ultimately answered with a dominant Game 3 performance.
A’ja Leaves the Drama on the Court
The win also came two days after Wilson’s heated interaction with a Fever fan during Game 2 in Indianapolis.The WNBA reviewed the incident and determined Wilson would not be suspended or fined, allowing her to play in the decisive Game 3.
Wilson made her response on the court.
Afterward, she explained that she wanted to put the incident behind her and focus on her team.
“I have my moments because I’m human,” Wilson said. “But after a while, I understood I didn’t want that to be a distraction to myself and my team.”
She certainly didn’t allow it to become one Thursday night.
Game 3 Final
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| Indiana Fever | 31 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 83 |
| Las Vegas Aces | 31 | 23 | 16 | 24 | 94 |
Leading Scorers
Las Vegas Aces
- A’ja Wilson — 36 PTS, 10 REB
- Chelsea Gray — 23 PTS
- Jackie Young — 18 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST
- Jewell Loyd — 11 PTS
Indiana Fever
- Kelsey Mitchell — 23 PTS
- Aliyah Boston — 19 PTS, 10 REB
- Caitlin Clark — 18 PTS
WHAT WE KNOW
🟣 Final: Aces 94, Fever 83
🔥 A’ja Wilson: 36 points, 10 rebounds
💪 Chelsea Gray: 23 points
⭐ Jackie Young: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
🏀 Caitlin Clark: 18 points
❌ Fever: Eliminated
✅ Aces: Advance to WNBA semifinals
📅 Series: Las Vegas wins 2–1
The Bottom Line
The Fever’s 2026 season is over.
But once again, A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces were waiting for them in the playoffs.
Wilson delivered 36 points when the stakes were highest, and the defending champions survived Indiana’s fourth-quarter push to keep their championship defense alive.
The Aces move on.
The Fever go home.
And for the second straight year, Las Vegas is the team that ends Indiana’s playoff run.
