Wilson scores 36 as Aces eliminate Fever and reach WNBA semifinals

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever 94-83 on Thursday to win their first-round WNBA playoff series 2-1. A'ja Wilson scored 36 points as the defending champions won the deciding game at home. LVSportsBiz reported that Indiana never led during the second half, despite keeping the contest close into the final quarter.

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Wilson also collected 10 rebounds and blocked two shots, according to Field Level Media. She made 11 of her 18 field-goal attempts, including two of three from beyond the arc. The agency reported that this was her 12th postseason game with at least 30 points, establishing a WNBA record.

Las Vegas received substantial scoring support from Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, who finished with 23 and 18 points respectively. Together with Wilson, they supplied 77 of the Aces' 94 points. Jewell Loyd contributed 11 points in the first half, making three of four three-point attempts, as detailed in LVSportsBiz's account of the victory.

Indiana's scoring was led by Kelsey Mitchell with 23 points, while Aliyah Boston recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds. Caitlin Clark finished with 18 points but made six of 18 shots, including three of 12 from three-point range. Field Level Media reported that Clark scored 11 points in the opening quarter and seven across the remaining three periods.

The teams had been level at 31-31 after the first quarter before Las Vegas moved into a 54-48 half-time lead. Indiana remained within reach late in the game, trailing 82-77 with 3:13 left, according to LVSportsBiz. Wilson's free throws helped the Aces finish the job and avoid elimination after their loss in Indiana two nights earlier.

The result sends third-seeded Las Vegas into an eighth consecutive WNBA semifinal, Field Level Media reported. Their next opponent will be decided by Friday's Game 3 between the second-seeded Golden State Valkyries and seventh-seeded Dallas Wings. The semifinal opener is scheduled for Sunday, with the Aces' title defence continuing and the Fever's playoff run over.