The Indiana Fever delivered a statement performance on Thursday night, dismantling the defending champion Las Vegas Aces with an emphatic 81-54 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The win marked one of the Fever’s most complete performances of the season, even in the absence of star rookie Caitlin Clark, who missed her fourth consecutive game due to a groin injury.
Aliyah Boston led the charge with 22 points and 10 rebounds, asserting her dominance in the paint on both ends. Kelsey Mitchell added 18 points, while Kristy Wallace and NaLyssa Smith combined for 25 points and relentless perimeter defense that frustrated the Aces all night.
The Fever set the tone early, opening the game with a 15-2 run and never looking back. Indiana’s defense was stifling, holding the Aces to a season-low 54 points and just 31% shooting from the field. A’ja Wilson, typically the engine of Las Vegas’ offense, was limited to just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting, thanks to a relentless double-team approach.
By halftime, Indiana led 45-25, and their intensity never dipped. The Fever controlled the glass (outrebounding the Aces 42-29), forced 18 turnovers, and outscored Las Vegas in every quarter.
This win is a significant boost for Indiana, who now improves to 11-12 on the season and continues to gain momentum in the playoff race. It also sends a clear message that the team can compete with the WNBA’s best, even without Clark on the floor.
For the Aces, it’s back to the drawing board after one of their worst performances in recent memory. Las Vegas drops to 13-9, and coach Becky Hammon will surely demand a more focused effort moving forward.
The Fever and their fans will savor this dominant win as they look to build on it in the coming stretch.
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