The WNBA’s best-of-three first-round playoff format has a way of defusing or igniting drama.
For instance, a perfunctory two-game sweep can make the whole series seem rather pointless. In contrast, the three-game character can encourage upsets that could upend the favored franchise. Or, despite the brevity, a three-game series can provide a bit of everything.
The first-round showdown between the No. 3-seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 6-seed Indiana Fever seems to be trending towards the latter.
In Game 1,
the Aces flexed their superiority, running away with a win that reminded why they are the defending champs. After appearing ready to pull away in Game 2, Vegas was unable to neutralize Indiana’s response, with the eventual Fever win marred by an incident between A’ja Wilson and a fan, when Wilson received a technical foul after confronting the fan, who she insisted engaged in “unacceptable” actions.
Expect the intensity, emotions and excitement to be overflowing for Game 3, which tips off at 9 p.m. ET in Vegas and will be broadcast on USA Network/CNBC.
Will the Aces again affirm that they are on another level? Or, can the Fever take a substantial step toward reaching the heights imagined for them?
Quite possibly, the team best manages all that intensity, emotion and excitement will be the one that prevails.
And in that case, I’m betting on the Aces. Zack Ward captured it perfectly when he declared that Vegas should be the 2026 title favorites, citing their chemistry, mentality and intimidation factor.
The game that best demonstrated those traits was the Aces lone regular-season win over these very Fever.
In Indianapolis on Aug. 6, the Aces first overcame a 20-point deficit, only to appear to fade down the stretch and allow the Fever to escape with the win. Instead, a pair of missed free throws at the end of regulation by Caitlin Clark opened the door for Chelsea Gray to drain a game-tying 3-pointer and force overtime. Then, at the end of overtime and with Indy in the lead, Clark attempted to isolate on Wilson, but A’ja forced a takeaway that then set up Gray for the game-winning 3.
While Gray confirmed why she’s the Point Gawd with her pair of clutch 3s, Wilson led the way with a 26-point and 13-rebound double-double, which she capped with the key stop on Clark. All that would not have been possible without Jackie Young, who at one point scored 15-straight points for Vegas to erase their large deficit.
Nope, I’m not betting against that Big 3.
Add on the irritation that surely is swirling through the Aces organization following the incident with A’ja in Indiana, and the Aces seem guaranteed to make a championship statement in Game 3.
Do you agree? Is Vegas poised to respond with a resounding win, keeping their quest for back-to-back titles on course? Or, is the time actually now for Indiana?
Share your Game 3 predictions in the comments.
