The Indiana Fever limped into the postseason with zero momentum after getting blown out by 20 points against the Minnesota Lynx in their regular-season finale, and Sunday’s playoff opener offered little hope.
In Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round series, the Las Vegas Aces put on a clinic, strong-arming Indy in a 102-85 rout.
Having proven they could beat the defending champions during the regular season, Indiana fans hoped to make a statement early. Instead, Las Vegas stepped on the gas from the opening tip and built a lead as large as 27 points, leaving Indiana scrambling to stay afloat for nearly the entire second half.
Las Vegas was led by a dominant performance from MVP-hopeful A’ja Wilson, who was virtually unstoppable and carried the Aces on both ends of the floor. Wilson finished with 38 points and 16 rebounds. Yet the primary story of the game was Indiana’s inability to execute against a physical and disciplined playoff defense.
Indiana’s backcourt spent the afternoon fighting through traps and relentless double teams.
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Caitlin Clark worked her way to a double-double, racking up 15 points, 10 assists and three rebounds.
But the Aces hounded her and disrupted her shooting rhythm throughout the day. Clark made just 6 of 18 shots, including 3 from deep — committing six turnovers and picking up five fouls. Kelsey Mitchell struggled to find her scoring rhythm, too. She finished with 12 points and three assists, connecting on only 4-of-16.
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With their two primary creators unable to find their rhythm, the Fever lacked the offensive firepower needed to trade baskets with a red-hot Vegas squad. Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 18 points, adding eight rebounds and dishing out four assists.
Off the bench, Sophie Cunningham provided a much-needed spark for the Fever. Cunningham scored 13 points, including three shots from beyond the arc. She offered Indiana a spark during a tough second half, but it wasn’t enough to mount a real threat.
Game 2 of the series shifts home to Indianapolis Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fever will desperately be looking to protect their home court to keep their season alive and force a Game 3.
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