Aces’ defense keeps Fever’s top scorers stuck in neutral in Game 3

October 1, 2026 - 10:16 pm In a heavyweight rubric combat situation Thursday night at Michelob Ultra Arena, the Las Vegas Aces won by rendering the Indiana Fever’s biggest scoring threats punchless. Las Vegas held off a precocious Indiana rally to win an emotionally‑charged Game 3 94‑83 and advance to the WNBA semifinals. While A’ja Wilson paced the Aces offensively with a game‑high 34 points, her squad neutralized the scorers who led the Fever to a Game 2 victory: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. “We were mixing up coverages, conscionable trying to support them disconnected equilibrium arsenic overmuch arsenic we could,” Las Vegas manager Becky Hammon said. “Tremendous execution and effort connected the antiaircraft extremity to springiness america a accidental to triumph this game. They won it with their defense.” On Tuesday, Clark had a plus/minus figure of 15. In Game 3 she finished with –14. Boston dropped from 13 to –1, and Mitchell from 3 to –9. Las Vegas frustrated Indiana shooters throughout the game, playing physical defense, contesting shots and forcing decisions. In Game 2 the Fever shot 52.1 percent from the floor; in the win‑or‑go‑home Game 3 their field‑goal percent was just 38.5. “I liked) the magnitude of effort and vigor that they person to enactment successful each possession,” Hammon said. “It’s an awesome offense.” Sitting in the property league country after the game, flanked by Mitchell and manager Stephanie White, Clark said Indiana played a “C” game, struggling to get into a rhythm on offense. She noted that Las Vegas’ physical defense meant not just contested shots but trips to the free‑throw line, disrupting the team’s flow. “We just missed some shots we usually make, and sometimes you’re gonna have nights like that,” Clark said. “You gotta give credit to the Aces. I thought they played well. I thought they were ready to go, and that’s what championship teams do.” After Stephanie Talbot went from game‑time decision to inactive due to a leg injury, Hammon mostly relied on seasoned Jewell Loyd to defend Clark, praising her squad for its “next woman up” mentality. Hammon hopes Talbot should be ready to play in Sunday’s semifinal game one, where the Aces will face either Golden State or Dallas. Loyd played 35:19, her second‑highest duration of the season, and leaned on Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray — who each played 40. Despite this, Hammon was impressed with her team’s energy. After giving up 31 points in the first quarter, the Aces kept the unit up. “She’s been in big games — she’s a champion,” Hammon said of Loyd. “Even earlier Steph was retired … Jewell was 1 of those superior defenders on Caitlin. So she just