The Indiana Fever are one loss away from elimination after the Las Vegas Aces dominated Game 1. Here are the score, player stats, key matchups, schedule and what to watch in Game 2.
The 2026 WNBA playoffs have delivered one of the most anticipated first-round matchups of the postseason: the Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever.
But after Game 1, the series suddenly looks very different.
The No. 3-seeded Aces defeated the No. 6 Fever 102–85 in Las Vegas, putting Indiana on the brink of elimination in the best-of-three first round.
Now the series moves to Indianapolis.
And the pressure is enormous.
Aces vs Fever Game 2: What Happened in Game 1?
Las Vegas controlled the opening game from the start and eventually won by 17 points.
The biggest reason was A’ja Wilson.
The reigning WNBA champion produced one of the most dominant playoff performances of her career:
- 38 points
- 16 rebounds
- 4 blocks
- 2 steals
- 15-of-19 shooting
- 2-of-2 from three-point range
Wilson’s efficiency was particularly important.
She wasn’t simply taking a large number of shots.
She was converting them at an extremely high rate.
The Aces as a team shot 59.4% from the field and won the rebounding battle 31–24.
That combination made it extremely difficult for Indiana to stay in the game.
Aces vs Fever: Series Score
After Game 1:
Las Vegas Aces lead Indiana Fever 1–0.
The first round is a best-of-three series.
That means Indiana cannot afford another loss.
Game 2 is therefore effectively an elimination game for the Fever.
If Las Vegas wins again, the Aces advance to the semifinals.
If Indiana wins, the series returns to Las Vegas for a decisive Game 3.
The official WNBA schedule lists Game 2 for Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis.
Aces vs Fever Game 2: Where to Watch
Game: Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever
Round: 2026 WNBA Playoffs, First Round
Game: 2
Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Series: Aces lead 1–0
The official Fever announcement lists Prime as the national broadcast for Game 2.
A’ja Wilson vs. Indiana’s Frontcourt
The biggest question heading into Game 2 is simple:
How does Indiana slow down A’ja Wilson?
In Game 1, the answer wasn’t obvious.
Wilson scored 38 points while shooting 15-for-19.
She also grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked four shots.
That creates a difficult defensive problem for Indiana.
If the Fever send additional defenders toward Wilson, the Aces can create opportunities elsewhere.
If Indiana plays Wilson more directly, she has already demonstrated that she can score efficiently against that approach.
Caitlin Clark Has to Change the Game
Caitlin Clark finished Game 1 with:
- 15 points
- 10 assists
- 3 rebounds
- 6 turnovers
Her passing remained important, but the turnovers became costly.
Indiana’s offense needs Clark to create opportunities without allowing Las Vegas to turn mistakes into transition points.
The Fever were particularly hurt by turnovers in Game 1.
Indiana coach Stephanie White pointed to 28 Aces points off turnovers as one of the major problems in the opener.
For Game 2, Clark’s ability to control tempo could become one of the most important factors.
Kelsey Mitchell Could Be the X-Factor
Kelsey Mitchell enters the playoffs as one of the WNBA’s most dangerous scorers.
During the regular season, Mitchell averaged 24.7 points per game.
Caitlin Clark averaged 22.3.
Together, they formed the highest-scoring duo in WNBA history, averaging 47 points per game during the regular season.
That production has to translate into the postseason.
Indiana doesn’t necessarily need Clark to score 30 points.
But the Fever likely need significantly more offensive production from their perimeter stars if they want to extend the series.
Jackie Young Is Another Problem for Indiana
A’ja Wilson receives most of the attention, but Las Vegas has another major scoring threat in Jackie Young.
Young averaged 18.9 points per game during the regular season, placing her among the WNBA’s top scorers.
That creates a difficult two-player problem.
If Indiana focuses heavily on Wilson, Young can attack.
If the Fever try to stay balanced defensively, Wilson can dominate inside.
That was one reason Las Vegas was able to shoot nearly 60% in Game 1.
The Regular-Season Matchup Is Interesting
The Fever actually won the regular-season series 2–1.
Indiana won:
Fever 84, Aces 68 — July 5
and
Fever 109, Aces 75 — July 12
Las Vegas won the third meeting:
Aces 86, Fever 84 in overtime — August 6
So the regular season suggested that Indiana could compete with Las Vegas.
But Game 1 showed why playoff basketball can be different.
The Aces entered the postseason after winning their final seven regular-season games and finished 31–13.
Fever’s Historic Offense vs Aces’ Playoff Experience
This matchup is fascinating because the Fever had the league’s highest-scoring offense during the regular season.
Indiana averaged 96.0 points per game, described by the WNBA as the highest-scoring offense in league history.
Las Vegas finished second among the league’s scoring teams.
The matchup therefore features two elite offenses.
But Game 1 showed that offensive efficiency and playoff execution can matter more than regular-season scoring averages.
Indiana’s Injury Situation
The Fever also entered the series dealing with injuries.
Aliyah Boston suffered a lower-leg issue late in the regular season, while guard Tyasha Harris suffered a season-ending broken fibula.
Harris averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 assists over 39 regular-season games.
Boston’s availability is particularly important because she is one of Indiana’s most important interior defenders.
She averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds during the regular season.
Aces vs Fever Player Stats to Watch
Las Vegas Aces
A’ja Wilson
- 26.2 PPG during regular season
- 38 points in Game 1
- 16 rebounds in Game 1
- 4 blocks in Game 1
Jackie Young
- 18.9 PPG during regular season
Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell
- 24.7 PPG during regular season
Caitlin Clark
- 22.3 PPG during regular season
- 10 assists in Game 1
Aliyah Boston
- 16.1 PPG
- 8.0 RPG during regular season
The WNBA’s official series preview identified Wilson, Mitchell and Clark as the league’s top three regular-season scorers.
Aces vs Fever Timeline
July 5
Indiana defeated Las Vegas 84–68.
July 12
Indiana defeated Las Vegas again, 109–75.
August 6
Las Vegas defeated Indiana 86–84 in overtime.
September 27
The Aces opened the playoffs with a 102–85 victory.
September 29
Game 2 moves to Indianapolis.
October 1
A potential Game 3 returns to Las Vegas if necessary.
What Does Indiana Need to Do to Win Game 2?
The formula is fairly straightforward.
1. Protect the basketball
Indiana cannot afford another game where turnovers generate easy Aces points.
2. Make Wilson work
The Fever need to make every Wilson possession more difficult without opening easy opportunities for Las Vegas’ shooters.
3. Get Mitchell going
Mitchell’s scoring could relieve pressure from Clark.
4. Control the pace
Indiana’s offense works best when Clark can create opportunities and the team maintains offensive movement.
5. Get production from Boston
If Boston is healthy enough to play significant minutes, her ability to defend and rebound could change the matchup.
Why This WNBA Playoff Series Is Trending
The search spike makes sense.
Google Trends is showing enormous interest around:
- WNBA playoffs
- Aces vs Fever
- Indiana Fever
- WNBA
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- WNBA games today
- Las Vegas Aces
- A’ja Wilson
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- Kelsey Mitchell
- Jackie Young
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- Las Vegas Aces vs Indiana Fever player stats
That tells us something important about search intent.
People aren’t searching for only one story.
They are looking for live information + player statistics + viewing information + historical context.
That’s exactly why this article combines all four.
What’s Next?
The Fever now have their backs against the wall.
Las Vegas needs one more victory to advance.
Indiana needs to win at home to force a deciding Game 3.
The regular-season series gives the Fever reasons for confidence.
But Game 1 demonstrated the challenge.
A’ja Wilson was dominant.
The Aces shot nearly 60%.
And Las Vegas converted Indiana’s mistakes into 28 points.
Game 2 will therefore come down to whether Indiana can make the series look more like the regular season — or whether Las Vegas can reproduce the level of execution that produced the 102–85 opening victory.
One thing is certain:
The next Aces vs. Fever game has become one of the biggest games of the 2026 WNBA playoffs.
FAQ
What was the Aces vs Fever score?
The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever 102–85 in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA playoffs.
What is the Aces vs Fever playoff series score?
Las Vegas leads the best-of-three series 1–0.
When is Aces vs Fever Game 2?
Game 2 is scheduled for September 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Where can I watch Aces vs Fever Game 2?
The official Indiana Fever schedule lists Prime as the broadcast partner for Game 2.
How many points did A’ja Wilson score?
Wilson scored 38 points in Game 1 and added 16 rebounds.
How did Caitlin Clark perform in Game 1?
Clark finished with 15 points, 10 assists and 3 rebounds, while committing six turnovers.
What happens if Indiana wins Game 2?
The series would move to a deciding Game 3 in Las Vegas, scheduled for October 1 if necessary.
Related Reading
- 2026 WNBA Playoffs: Schedule, Scores and Bracket
- A’ja Wilson’s 2026 Season: Why the Aces Star Is Dominating
- Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever: The Rise of the WNBA’s Biggest Team