The Las Vegas Aces’ three-game winning streak came to a halt on Thursday night as they fell 80-70 to the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This game marked the third and final regular-season matchup between these two teams in 2025, with the Fever now holding a 2-1 edge in the season series after back-to-back wins over the Aces — their first consecutive victories against Las Vegas since 2015.
The Fever’s victory was especially notable given they were without their star guard and 2025 WNBA All-Star captain Caitlin Clark, who missed her third consecutive game due to a right groin injury. Clark’s absence has been felt throughout the season, as she has missed 12 games so far with no clear timetable for her return. Despite this, Indiana managed to outscore Las Vegas 45-29 in the second half to overcome a six-point halftime deficit.
Head coach Stephanie White’s halftime pep talk seemed to ignite the Fever’s defensive intensity. Natasha Howard, who finished with an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double (including five offensive boards), credited the coach’s message: “Coach told us at halftime that we were playing too soft. We let Las Vegas get whatever they wanted in the second quarter. When (White) told us that… we all locked in coming out in the second half.”
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with a game-high 21 points and four assists, while Aliyah Boston contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sophie Cunningham added 13 points, and four Fever starters reached double digits, highlighting the team’s balanced offensive effort. Defensively, Indiana was stingy, holding the Aces to just two three-pointers on 18.2% shooting from beyond the arc, marking a season low for Las Vegas.
The Aces, who came into the game riding a three-game winning streak, including an 87-72 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, saw their offense struggle from deep. Star forward A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP and three-time WNBA MVP, scored 20 points with six rebounds and three steals, while Jackie Young added 19 points and three assists. Despite their efforts, Las Vegas couldn’t overcome Indiana’s defensive pressure and second-half surge.
Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon, who has won 99 of her 139 regular-season games and is on the brink of becoming the third-fastest and 18th overall WNBA coach to reach 100 wins, now faces a tough challenge as the Aces start the second half of the season at 1-1 following All-Star weekend. The team will look to rebound quickly as they prepare to face the Minnesota Lynx on Friday at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Wilson has been a force all season, currently averaging 24.3 points over her last four games, the highest in the league during that stretch. Her all-around performance remains historic; through July 22, 2025, she is the only player in league history to average at least 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 1.5 steals in a single season. Supporting Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd have consistently contributed double-digit scoring, while Dana Evans has bolstered the offense recently, averaging 12.2 points on 55.1% shooting over the past six games.
The Aces also continue to excel on the boards, ranking fourth in the league by grabbing 70.1% of available defensive rebounds this season. However, their shooting woes against Indiana have been a recurring issue. In the two 2025 meetings before Thursday’s game, Las Vegas averaged just 71.5 points — nearly 10 points below their season average of 80.6 — and shot a dismal 36.4% from the floor and 25% from three-point range. Indiana capitalized on these struggles, averaging 81 points and shooting 48.9% overall against the Aces in those contests.
The game itself was a battle of runs. The Aces opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run, part of an 18-2 stretch dating back to the first quarter, but Indiana responded with an 8-0 run of their own before Las Vegas closed out the half with a 12-2 run. At halftime, Las Vegas led 41-35, shooting 44.1% from the field but struggling from beyond the arc (2-of-8). Indiana shot 39.4% overall and 5-of-12 from three but had to contend with 11 turnovers and a significant disparity in free throw attempts — 4 for Indiana versus 12 for Las Vegas.
The third quarter was pivotal, with Indiana outscoring Las Vegas 27-15 to take a six-point lead into the final period. Natasha Howard was particularly dominant in this frame, scoring 11 of her 18 points. The Fever’s defense clamped down, forcing 19 turnovers throughout the game and limiting the Aces’ offensive rhythm.
Late in the game, the Aces threatened to close the gap to five points with just 1:33 remaining, but a crucial three-pointer by Aari McDonald with 34.2 seconds left pushed Indiana’s lead back to eight, effectively sealing the victory. The win moved Indiana past Las Vegas in the standings, claiming sixth place and positioning themselves better for the playoff push.
Indiana’s journey this season has been marked by resilience, especially without Caitlin Clark. The Fever lost two games to the defending champion New York Liberty on either side of the All-Star break but have shown the ability to compete at a high level. The team’s alternate uniforms inspired by the Netflix series "Stranger Things" have also brought a unique flair to their home games, with plans to wear the themed jerseys on select dates through September.
For Las Vegas, the focus now shifts to regaining momentum on their four-game road trip, which includes back-to-back games against the Minnesota Lynx following their Indiana visit. The Aces have a strong historical record against Indiana, holding a 39-20 overall advantage and 19-10 on the road, but recent games have shown the Fever’s determination to close the gap.
Fans can catch the Aces’ upcoming games on Vegas 34 and KTNV, with over 33 games scheduled to air locally this season. Additionally, the WNBA continues to expand its broadcast reach, with games available across ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBA TV, Prime Video, and WNBA League Pass, providing fans multiple ways to follow the league’s thrilling action.
As the 2025 WNBA season progresses toward its September 11 regular-season finale and the playoffs beginning September 14, every game counts. The Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever’s recent encounters underscore the intensity of the battle for playoff positioning, especially with stars like A’ja Wilson leading the charge for Las Vegas and a resilient Indiana squad eager to prove its mettle without Caitlin Clark.
Thursday’s game was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with Indiana’s defense and second-half surge ultimately tipping the scales. The Aces will look to bounce back quickly as the season heats up, while the Fever aim to build on their momentum and secure a favorable spot in the postseason. The WNBA landscape remains dynamic, and every matchup promises high stakes and exciting basketball.
