Chelsea Gray only needed five words to describe teammate A'ja Wilson's historic performance in the Las Vegas Aces' 102-85 Game 1 win over the Indiana Fever in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 27.
"She’s MVP for a reason," Gray said of Wilson, the reigning WNBA MVP, who recorded 38 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and two steals
to lift the Aces to a 1-0 lead over the Fever in the best-of-three playoff series.Indiana will now host the defending champions in Indianapolis for Game 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 29, which Indiana must win to force a decisive Game 3 in Las Vegas and keep their postseason alive.
The Fever's Big 3 of Kelsey Mitchell (12 points), Caitlin Clark (15 points, 10 assists) and Aliyah Boston (18 points and eight
rebounds) was outplayed by the Aces' Big 3 of Wilson, Jackie Young (21 points, 10 assists) and Gray (14 points, eight assists) on Sunday. Fever head coach Stephanie White pointed to "experience."
"Certainly there's no substitute for experience," said White, whose team gave up 28 points off 17 turnovers in Sunday's loss. "Give Vegas credit. They're defending champions for a reason. They understand the moment. They understand that playoffs require ... a different level of intensity and urgency and they came with it. This is what they're supposed to do. They're supposed to win game one. Now we have to be able to bounce back and go home and pick up a win."
USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates for Game 2 of the first-round WNBA playoff series between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever on Tuesday. Here's what you need to know.
Aces start fast vs. Fever
11:14 AM ET, September 29 2026, Heather BurnsThe No. 3 seeded Las Vegas Aces beat the No. 6 Indiana Fever 102-85 in Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Reigning MVP A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 38 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and two steals. She's the first player in WNBA history to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in multiple playoff games. It was also Wilson's 11th career 30-point playoff game, extending her lead for the most in WNBA playoff history.
“It's what I do. I don't take a minute on this court for granted," Wilson said. "So when I come out, I try to be the best that I can be and allow my teammates to do themselves as well and allow them to be the best. So it's my job. I'm going to continue to do it at a high level always. And then we go as much as we go.” Read more.
What time is Aces vs Fever?
06:00 AM ET, September 29 2026The No. 3 seed Las Vegas Aces play the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever in Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs at 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
What TV channel is Aces vs Fever on today?
Game 2 of the first-round matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever on Tuesday, Sept. 29, will be available to stream on Prime Video.
- Stream: Prime Video
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever first-round schedule
- Sunday, Sept. 27: Game 1 | Las Vegas Aces 102, Indiana Fever 85
- Tuesday, Sept. 29: Game 2 | 6:30 p.m. ET (Prime)
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Game 3 (if necessary) | TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas Aces vs Indiana Fever WNBA playoffs: Time, channel, how to watch
