A'ja Wilson's 38 Points Power Aces Past Fever in WNBA Playoffs Opener

A'ja Wilson collected 38 points and 16 rebounds as Las Vegas pulled away for a 102-85 Game 1 win over Indiana at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

The Las Vegas Aces opened the 2026 WNBA playoffs with a 102-85 victory over the Indiana Fever on Sunday, September 27, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, moving ahead 1-0 in the first-round series.

A'ja Wilson drove the result. The four-time MVP delivered a game-high 38 points to go with 16 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and two assists. Her scoring total fell just four short of the WNBA single-game playoff record of 42, a mark held by contemporaries such as Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The crowd in Las Vegas also made its preference clear, voicing support for Wilson to win a fifth MVP award.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon said Wilson controlled the game at both ends. "She was a clinic tonight," Hammon said. "Defensive end, offensive end, blocks, steals, boards, scoring. There was nothing she didn't do tonight." Hammon added that the team places heavy demands on Wilson during the regular season and that "she understands the stakes always."

The Aces' backcourt provided plenty of support. Jackie Young finished with a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists, while Chelsea Gray added 14 points and eight assists. Together they recorded 18 assists, only two fewer than Indiana managed as a team. Gray credited the long-established bond within the core. "We try to pull the best out of each other and that's something that takes time," Gray said. "When we're getting on each other, we know it comes from a good place and that just doesn't happen overnight."

Reserves played their part as well. Jewell Loyd scored 10 points, Stephanie Talbot added eight and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus chipped in seven while logging 15:12 at center, ahead of Brianna Turner's 8:17. "I thought Jewell came in and hit some timely threes for us," Hammon said, describing a group effort in which everyone kept contributing.

Las Vegas also bothered Indiana's top scorers. Kelsey Mitchell, the WNBA's second-leading scorer this season behind Wilson, was limited to 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting. Caitlin Clark recorded a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists but needed 17 shots to get there, going 6-for-17 with six turnovers.

Hammon said slowing the Fever's guards required a collective approach. "You have to do it by committee," Hammon said. "You're not going to take everything, but we just want to make it somewhat contested." Indiana's ball security proved costly: the Fever committed 17 turnovers, and the Aces turned them into 28 points. Gray, asked about the team's priorities, put it bluntly. "I think that elite defense is above offense, honestly," she said.

The win gives Las Vegas a chance to eliminate an Indiana side that created problems for the Aces during the regular season. The series now shifts to Indiana, with the Fever facing a 1-0 deficit heading into Game 2 on Tuesday.

The series continues Tuesday, September 29, when the Las Vegas Aces visit the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6:30 PM EDT, with the game available on Prime Video.