Aces end Fever's season in Las Vegas to reach WNBA semifinals as Clark, Mitchell struggle

The reigning WNBA champions are headed back to the semifinals after eliminating the Indiana Fever 94-83 on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

The No. 3 seed, the Las Vegas Aces, held court in a win or go-home Game 3 as the Fever’s success this season mostly deepened on Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark.

And when they did not perform, it resulted in the fever's elimination.

They both combined for 41 points but shot just 13-41 from the field and 6-23 from three.

For the second consecutive season, Indiana’s season has ended in a do-or-die game in Las Vegas as the Aces win the game in a closely contested match.

Although the duo started the game playing well right from the beginning, they led Indiana to an early eight-point lead on the road.

During the first 8 minutes of the game, Clark had scored 11 points and Mitchell seven, as Indiana was ahead with four points.

But from there, the pair scored just six more shots over the final 32 minutes.

Clark shot 2-12 from the field, missed all seven of her 3-pointers, and committed 5 turnovers.

Mitchell posted eight points in the fourth quarter as the Fever closed to within two points but shot poorly, making only 4 of her 18 attempts in the last quarter.

The Aces centre, A'ja Wilson, headlined Thursday night, leading all scorers with 36 points, 10 rebounds and making 2 of her 3 three-shot attempts.

The Aces will face the winner of Friday’s Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings game in Sunday’s semifinals.

The New York Liberty will play the Atlanta Dream on the other side of the bracket.