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Aces Eliminate Fever in 2026 WNBA Playoffs

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 4:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Indiana Fever Eliminated

Indiana Fever were eliminated from the 2026 WNBA playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces.
Kelsey Mitchell became an unrestricted free agent after a $1.4 million supermax season averaging 24.7 points and 45% three-point shooting.
Sophie Cunningham entered free agency after a one-year, $665,000 contract while shooting 41.9% from three.
Head coach Stephanie White is expected to return, though her job may be scrutinized after the loss.

Summary

Caitlin Clark Suspended

The WNBA will suspend a player one game after a fourth postseason technical foul.
Caitlin Clark was fined $500 for her second postseason technical foul and faced suspension after a third.
Caitlin Clark took an elbow to the face from Jewell Loyd, causing a bleeding mouth and no foul in Game 3.
The series opener averaged 2.1 million ABC viewers, peaking at 2.6 million, a WNBA playoff record.

History

Historical Context

Approved by the NBA Board of Governors on April 24 1996, the WNBA began play on June 21 1997 when the New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 67–57 before 14,284 fans at the Great Western Forum. Backed by the NBA’s resources, early TV contracts with NBC, ESPN and Lifetime created a national platform that has driven CBA upgrades and growth to 15 teams by 2026.

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Indiana Fever Eliminated

Indiana Fever were eliminated from the 2026 WNBA playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces.
Kelsey Mitchell became an unrestricted free agent after a $1.4 million supermax season averaging 24.7 points and 45% three-point shooting.
Sophie Cunningham entered free agency after a one-year, $665,000 contract while shooting 41.9% from three.
Head coach Stephanie White is expected to return, though her job may be scrutinized after the loss.

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