A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces failed to close out their first-round series against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday. The defending champions headed to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 2 after a dominant win in the series opener on Sunday. Another win for the Aces would have ended the best-of-three series and punched their ticket to the semifinals.
Caitlin Clark and the Fever had other plans, though. They protected their home court by securing a 99-89 win, tying the series at 1-1.
Clark went off for a team-high 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting, with seven rebounds, 15 assists and five triples before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Wilson managed 22 points and nine rebounds, but she failed to match her dominant 38-point outburst in Game 1.
Wilson was also involved in a contentious moment in the fourth quarter. The four-time WNBA MVP drew a foul from Fever star Sophie Cunningham while battling for positioning. However, Wilson confronted a courtside fan immediately after the play.
Her teammates had to pull Wilson back as she berated the Fever supporter. The referees reviewed the incident and issued a technical foul on Wilson for her actions toward the fan. The fan was reportedly removed from his seat but was later allowed to return.
Wilson now faces punishment from the WNBA. Per league rules, a technical foul carries an automatic $500 fine.
During her postgame interview, Wilson called out the fan’s “unacceptable” behavior. While she did not reveal what was said between them, the 6-foot-4 center said the fan came at her and pointed at her.
The Fever have already issued a statement on the incident. According to the team, they did not remove the fan from the arena because “there was no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct.”
This series now shifts back to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Thursday. Tipoff from Michelob ULTRA Arena is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET on USA Network.
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