LAS VEGAS — The Indiana Fever hit the jackpot with No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, but the Fever had their biggest test of the season so far against the back-to-back defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
2023 WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson and the Aces routed Clark and the Fever, 99-80, on Saturday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
The Fever have got off to a rough start and opened the season on a five-game losing streak. Indiana picked up their first win on Friday in their 78-73 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, but couldn’t replicate any comeback magic on Saturday.
The Aces, however, are off to a 3-1 start in their bid to become the first WNBA team to win three consecutive titles since Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson led the now-disbanded Houston Comets to four consecutive titles from 1997-2000.
Clark reunited on the court with former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Kate Martin, who was drafted by the Aces with the 18th overall pick of 2024 WNBA draft. Martin attended the draft ceremony in support of Clark, the No. 1 overall pick, before she was selected by the Aces from the audience.
Final: Aces 99, Fever 80
There was no comeback magic for the Fever on Saturday. Indiana was blown out by the Aces, 99-80. The Fever drop to 1-6 on the season, while the Aces improve to 3-1.
A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 2 assists, the 80th career double-double of her career. Jackie Young added 22 points and six assists, while Kelsey Plum had 20 points and four assists.
Caitlin Clark finished the contest with eight points, shooting 2-of-8 from the field and 2-of-5 from three. She also had seven assists and five rebounds, in addition to six turnovers. Kelsey Mitchell (16 points), Temi Fagbenle (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Aaliyah Boston (12 points, six rebounds) all scored double figures.
By CYNDEY HENDERSON/USA Today
