Game 3 of the WNBA first round is going down tonight in Sin City, a winner-take-all brawl between the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever. This is the second straight season these two powerhouses are clashing in a do-or-die matchup in Vegas, and this time, a trip to the semifinals is on the line.
Battle of the Big Threes and a Gut Check
The defending champion Aces looked like they were on cruise control after Game 1, taking a dominant 102-85 victory at home. MVP favorite A’ja Wilson absolutely went off, dropping 38 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. The Aces’ “Big Three” of Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young combined for 73 points that night. Meanwhile, the Fever’s trio of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston struggled to just 45 points, clearly off-kilter from Vegas’s physicality and speed.
But Game 2 was a completely different story. Caitlin Clark came alive, orchestrating a massive 27-point, 15-assist performance that propelled the Fever to a 99-89 response win. Indiana’s “Big Three” found their rhythm, putting up a combined 75 points, easily outscoring the Aces’ star trio, who managed 63 points. This wasn’t just about offense for the Fever, though. Coach Stephanie White didn’t play Myisha at all in Game 1, but her addition to the mix for Game 2 apparently sparked a new level of toughness. After that Game 2 win, Clark didn’t pull any punches, saying, “That’s what we talked about as a team. Don’t be soft. Myisha was a leader of that. She kinda gathered the group yesterday and was like, ‘You have to have a different mentality about yourself.’” Talk about a gut check.
The Stakes and What’s Coming Tonight
That mentality shift, that added toughness, it completely flipped the script. Now, the Fever actually hold a 3-2 season advantage over the Aces, a fact that’s gotta be eating at the reigning champs. And let’s not forget the offensive firepower: Indiana finished the regular season with the league’s top-scoring offense, averaging 96 points per game, just ahead of the Aces’ 91.5. They can absolutely put up points.
CBS Sports expert Lindsay Gibbs is even sticking with her initial prediction: Fever 92, Aces 83. She picked Indiana to win this series in three, and after Game 2, she’s not backing down. She knows Vegas has home-court advantage, way more championship experience, and A’ja Wilson, who is arguably the best player on the planet. But Gibbs sees the Fever’s “Big Three” with Clark, Mitchell, and Boston matching up against Wilson, Gray, and Young. For her, the added toughness Indiana showed in Game 2 is the real game-changer.
So, here we are. The reigning-champion Aces have to defend their home court if they want to keep their repeat quest alive. Or, will Caitlin Clark and the Fever complete this incredible comeback and pull off the road upset? All the marbles are on the line tonight at Michelob Ultra Arena at 9:00 p.m. ET. You do not want to miss this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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