- Indiana advanced after losing five players to season-ending injuries, including Caitlin Clark.
- Las Vegas is led by A’ja Wilson, who was just named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
- The Fever won two of the three regular-season matchups against the Aces.
With five players lost to season-ending injuries – including star guard Caitlin Clark – the Indiana Fever continue their improbable journey in the WNBA playoffs on Sunday as they travel to face the Las Vegas Aces in the opening game of their semifinal series.
The No. 6-seeded Fever needed to win back-to-back games against the Atlanta Dream to get through the first round, but they did it – capping things with a stunning 87-85 win in Atlanta on Thursday.
The No. 2 seed Aces defeated the Seattle Storm 74-73 on Thursday, behind a dominant 38-point performance from just-named 2025 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson.
‘The job’s not done, it’s just first round and we have to get ready for the next one,’ the now four-time MVP said.
While the series might look like a mismatch on paper, the Fever won two of their three regular-season meetings.
What time is Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces?
The Las Vegas Aces host the Indiana Fever in the opening game of their WNBA playoff semifinal series on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
How to watch Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces: TV, stream
- Time: 3 p.m. ET (noon PT)
- Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
Las Vegas Aces starting lineup
Head coach: Becky Hammon
- 0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
- 1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
- 3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
- 12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
- 22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina
X factor: Aces’ bench
The Aces always have a chance with A’ja Wilson on the floor, but the four-time MVP will need some help if they want to win their third WNBA championship in four years. Wilson, Jackie Young (14 points) and Chelsea Gray (12 points) combined for 64 of the Aces’ 74 points in their Game 3 win over the Seattle Storm, which isn’t sustainable as the Aces go deeper into the postseason. Six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd leads the second unit and will be key in taking a load off the Aces’ Big 3. Loyd had 14 and 13 points in Game 1 and Game 2, respectively, but was held to four points on four shot attempts (2-of-4 from the field, no 3-point attempts) in over 29 minutes of play in Game 3. That can’t happen moving forward.
Indiana Fever starting lineup
Head coach: Stephanie White
- 0 Kelsey Mitchell | G 5′ 8′ – Ohio State
- 1 Odyssey Sims | G 5′ 8′ – Baylor
- 6 Natasha Howard | F 6′ 3′ – Florida State
- 7 Aliyah Boston | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina
- 10 Lexie Hull | G 6′ 1′ – Stanford
Indiana Fever injury report
Chloe Bibby (left knee), Caitlin Clark (right groin), Sydney Colson (left knee), Sophie Cunningham (right knee), Damiris Dantas (concussion protocol) and Aari McDonald (right foot) have all been ruled out for Game 1.
Caitlin Clark WNBA fine
Teammate Sophie Cunningham responded, ‘that’s gonna really break the bank for her. starting a GoFundMe now!’ Cunningham has been fined numerous times this season for criticizing officiating.
A’ja Wilson named 2025 WNBA MVP for record fourth time
A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season. She is the first four-time MVP, besting three-time winners Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.
WNBA MVP voting results
A’ja Wilson received 51 of 72 first-place votes and 21 second-place votes (657 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The Las Vegas Aces center won the award over finalists Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (534), Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (391), Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (180) and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (93).
Bam Adebayo delivers A’ja Wilson’s MVP trophy
Wilson’s ‘favorite Olympian,’ her beau Bam Adebayo from the Miami Heat, surprised Wilson with her fourth MVP trophy. Wilson fought back tears as her teammates celebrated. Adebayo was also joined by Aces owner Mark Davis, who donned a pink wig with bangs identical to Wilson’s media day look earlier this year.
A’ja Wilson named Co-Defensive Player of the Year
For the third time in four seasons, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. But this time there is a twist. Wilson will share the award with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA announced Thursday.
Smith and Wilson received 29 votes each from 72 sportswriters and broadcasters on the panel. Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams finished in second place with nine votes, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was third with three votes and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was fourth with two votes.
A’ja Wilson stats
Wilson averaged a league-leading 23.4 points (2nd-best in her career), 10.2 rebounds (2nd-best), 3.1 assists (ties her career-high), a league-leading 2.3 blocks (2nd-best) and 1.6 steals (2nd-best) in 40 games (all starts) this season. Wilson averaged 29.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the Aces’ first-round playoff series against the Seattle Storm, including a 38-point performance in Game 3, tying her playoff career high.
A’ja Wilson arrives to Game 1 in red
A’ja Wilson is seeing red … literally. The four-time WNBA MVP arrived for Game 1 of the semifinals in a vintage Nike windbreaker tracksuit. She paired her look with white pumps and a pair of sunglasses.
Indiana Fever arrivals
The Indiana Fever are in the building. Players arrived to Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas for Game 1.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever semifinal schedule
- Game 1: Fever at Aces, Sunday, Sept. 21 | 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 2: Fever at Aces, Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: Aces at Fever, Friday, Sept. 26 | 7:30 PM (ESPN2)
- Game 4 (if necessary): Aces at Fever, Sunday, Sept. 28 | 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 5 (if necessary): Fever at Aces, Tuesday, Sept: 30 | TBD (TBD)
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