There's just one victory standing between the Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever and the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.
The No. 3 seeded defending champions will host the No. 6 Fever on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas as the rematch of the 2025 semifinals comes to a close.
With the series tied 1-1, it's a win-or-go-home Game 3. The Aces opened the series with a dominant 102-85 home win in Las Vegas on Sunday, led by a historic performance from four-time MVP A'ja Wilson. Indiana tied the series with a 99-89 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday that can largely be credited to superstar guard Caitlin Clark's heroics.
Wilson is the leading scorer of the postseason so far, averaging 30 points over the two
games. Clark leads the playoffs in assists with 12.5 per game and was also part of a drastically improved defense in Game 2.
“I thought her energy from start to finish. A double-double in the first half — pretty incredible," Fever coach Stephanie White said of Clark Tuesday night. "The way that she moved the ball and attacked from multiple positions. You always expect her to be able to make shots and to facilitate, but I thought how she managed the game was really good. And her defensive energy I thought was terrific.
“It’s what we need from her night in and night out. She was the catalyst for us here tonight. I think she’s going to just take it to another level when we go to Game 3.”
The Aces will be looking to refocus after Game 2 devolved into a foul frenzy that included Wilson getting a technical for confronting a fan.
"It was a highly emotional game. It was super intense. There’s a lot at stake, and I think that’s what you felt played out over the course of the game," Aces coach Becky Hammon said following Tuesday's loss.
“Overall, I thought their sense of urgency was higher. That was a team that was playing for their lives, and they showed it. We have to regroup a little bit, fix some things defensively, and move forward to Game 3.”
USA TODAY is providing live coverage, highlights and key moments from Thursday's must-win first round matchup.
What time is Aces vs Fever?
06:01 AM ET, October 1 2026, Callie FinThe No. 3 seed Las Vegas Aces play the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever in Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1
- Time: 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
- Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas)
What TV channel is Aces vs Fever on today?
06:00 AM ET, October 1 2026, Callie FinGame 3 of the first-round matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever on Thursday, Oct. 1, is on USA and CNBC with streaming options via YouTube TV, Fubo, and Sling TV.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever WNBA playoffs Game 3: Time, channel, how to watch
