Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s hopes of making a deep playoff run in 2026 have been dashed after bowing out in the first round. Thanks to a dominant showing by A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces edged out Indiana in Game 3 and are now one step closer to becoming champions once again.
Indiana tied the series at 1-1 in Game 2, forcing the do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday. However, the Fever had no answer for Wilson, who got off to a hot start and had already tallied 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the first half.
Wilson ended the night with 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting, along with 10 rebounds and two blocks. Las Vegas clinched the 94-83 win to secure the 2-1 series victory.
After the game, the WNBA paid tribute to Wilson’s dominant performance by highlighting a pair of career milestones she achieved.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
It was Wilson’s 28th career double-double in the playoffs, which broke her tie with Candace Parker and Tamika Catchings for the second-most in history. She’s now behind only Alyssa Thomas, who has 31.
“Stuffed the stat sheet,” the WNBA wrote. “A’ja Wilson notched the 28th double-double of her Playoff career with 36 PTS & 10 REB. This moves her into second All-Time on the postseason double-doubles leaderboard!”
Furthermore, Wilson tied the record for the most playoff games with at least 35 points. She now has five such games in her WNBA career.
“She put up her fifth career playoff game with 35 PTS, tying for the most in WNBA playoff history,” the league added. “With 35 PTS and 10 REB for a third time, she matches the total of every other player in WNBA history combined.”
Wilson has certainly proven once again why she’s a four-time MVP and undeniably the best player in the WNBA today. When the Aces needed her most, she delivered.
This is the second year in a row that Las Vegas has eliminated Indiana. Now, Wilson and the Aces move on to the semifinals.
