Aces vs Fever: First-Round Playoff Showdown

The defending champion Las Vegas Aces (No. 3 seed) open the 2026 WNBA playoffs against the Indiana Fever (No. 6 seed) in a best-of-three series on Sunday. The matchup pits four-time MVP A’ja Wilson against rookie of the year Caitlin Clark, who both led their teams through a dramatic final week. The Aces secured the third seed with a 100-82 win over Phoenix, while the Fever fell to sixth after an 86-66 loss to Minnesota.

A'Ja Wilson and Aces to face Caitlin Clark and Fever in opening round of WNBA playoffs

• Las Vegas Aces finished 31-13, adding to three championships in four years. Wilson’s 34 points against Phoenix highlighted their offense.

Behind A'ja Wilson, Aces dominate Mercury but settle for 3 seed

• Indiana Fever closed 28-16. Clark averaged 22.8 points and 8.5 assists, and Kelsey Mitchell set a league record with her 135th three-pointer. Injuries to forward Aliyah Boston and guard Ty Harris limited depth in the finale.

Fox News (website)

• The loss to the Lynx dropped the Fever to No. 6, guaranteeing an away series.

Bleacher Report

• Aces: 31-13; Wilson 34 points vs Phoenix; team shot 56 % with 28 assists.

Wilson scores 34 as Aces head into playoffs after beating Mercury

• Fever: 28-16; Clark shot 8.3 % in the loss; Mitchell’s 135 threes set a single-season record.

Heavy

• Lynx: 33-11; held the Fever to 34 % shooting in the finale.

Bleacher Report

• Cheryl Reeve, Lynx head coach: “We had to come out here, protect our home court in the last regular season game.”

Caitlin Clark, Fever struggle in blowout loss to Lynx in regular-season finale

• Stephanie White, Fever head coach: “The margin for error throughout this regular season is incredibly small and you’ll see that in the playoffs.”

ESPN

• “At this point, everybody's record is 0-0,” — Caitlin Clark

ESPN

• “I was just really proud of how we bounced back," McBride said.” — Kayla McBride

ESPN

The series tests whether the Fever’s high-tempo offense can succeed against a veteran Aces squad that blends Wilson’s post play with Chelsea Gray’s shooting. For Wilson, it’s a chance to strengthen her MVP case; for Clark, an opportunity to rebound from her low-scoring finale and stay in the assist race.

Sports Illustrated

Game 1 of the best-of-three will be played on Sunday in Las Vegas, with the winner moving on to the next round.

Sports Illustrated