TC Martin

Aces Dispose of Fever, on to Semifinals     

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The Las Vegas Aces responded very nicely to pressure and controversy in delivering a 94-83 victory over the Indiana Fever Thursday night at Michelob Ultra Arena to advance to the WNBA Semifinals. 

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The pressure and controversy came from a Game 2 defeat in Indiana where emotions got the best of 4-Time MVP, A'ja Wilson who was involved in an altercation with a fan in the final minutes of the game.  

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As fans and media alike made more of the dust up and Wilson's actions and comments than it should be, Becky Hammon had a calm and cool approach of let's move on and get ready for Game 3.  

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The Aces grit and focus were on full display Thursday night in front of an electric sold out home crowd while Indiana was the team that eventually fell apart.  Tempers flared and consistent complaining came from most of the Fever players and head coach Stephanie White. 

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Wilson let her skills do the talking as she poured in 36 points and collected 10 rebounds while connecting on 11 of 18 shots from the field and hitting 12 of 15 free throws.  It was the combo of Wilson and Chelsea Gray who led the way for the 3-time champs.  Gray was also spectacular with 23 points.  

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This is the potent combo where the Aces go in situations like these.  The two worldly veterans are always composed in big game situations and the game plan for the MVP to cook and Gray to direct and deliver when needed was the perfect recipe to eliminate an Indiana team that is still young and trying to find their identity. 

 

Caitlin Clark got off to a hot start in scoring 11 points in the first quarter but struggled the rest of the way finishing with 18 while making only 6 of 18 shots from the floor and 3 for 12 from three-point range.  She hit her first two threes' but then missed nine of her next 10 shots including seven straight misses.  She also committed a game high six turnovers and finished with five fouls. 

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The third seeded Aces will now await the winner of the Golden State - Dallas series. If the Valkyries win, Las Vegas will travel to San Franciso to play the first two games of the best of five semifinals which will take place on Sunday and Wednesday.  If Dallas is victorious, then the Aces will host Games 1 and 2. 

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