Preview capsule: Wilson, Aces to face Clark, Fever on Tuesday

By The Associated Press September 28, 2026 - 12:39 pm Las Vegas Aces hold a 1‑0 edge in the opening round of the WNBA playoffs as they travel to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Fever. The Aces enter the contest with a 31‑13 overall record and a 17‑6 mark in the Western Conference, while the Fever stand at 28‑16 overall and 14‑6 in the East. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. PT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indiana owns a 15‑7 record at home, but the Fever are 11‑14 against teams with winning records. Las Vegas, meanwhile, boasts a 16‑6 road record and ranks fourth in the West, averaging 33.4 rebounds per game. A’ja Wilson leads the rebounding effort with 9.4 per contest. Indiana scores 96.0 points per game, 10.2 more than the 85.8 points the Aces allow, while Las Vegas averages 91.5 points, 1.1 above the 90.4 points Indiana yields. Individual performances highlight the matchup. Caitlin Clark fuels the Fever with 22.3 points and 8.3 assists per game. Kelsey Mitchell has been scoring 25.2 points over her last ten outings. For the Aces, Jackie Young contributes 18.9 points and 6.8 assists, and Wilson has averaged 28.2 points in her past ten games. Recent form shows the Fever at 5‑5 over their last ten games, posting 93.9 points, 31.8 rebounds, 21.0 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.0 blocks per contest while shooting 48.6 % from the floor; their opponents have averaged 91.9 points. The Aces are 8‑2 in the same span, tallying 95.4 points, 32.8 rebounds, 22.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game on 50.1 % shooting, with opponents averaging 81.8 points. Injury reports list Tyasha Harris (ankle) and Damiris Dantas (knee) as out for Indiana. Las Vegas will be without Janiah Barker (leg), Dana Evans (knee) and NaLyssa Smith (leg). The Associated Press created this story utilizing technology provided by Data Skrive and information from Sportradar.