The Las Vegas Aces took a commanding 1-0 lead in their best-of-three first-round WNBA playoff series against the Indiana Fever with a 102-85 victory Sunday night. The game, held on the Aces’ home court, featured a hostile environment for the Fever, including jeers directed at Indiana’s star guard Caitlin Clark.

Las Vegas, seeded third in the playoffs, was propelled by a standout performance from forward A’ja Wilson. The Aces’ dominant play from both ends of the court allowed them to pull away early and maintain control throughout the contest. Indiana, the sixth seed, struggled to contain Las Vegas’ efficient offense and fell behind by 17 points at the final buzzer.

The Fever will return home for Game 2 on Tuesday, needing a win to extend the series and force a decisive Game 3 back in Las Vegas. Indiana’s coach, Stephanie White, acknowledged the need for adjustments on both defense and offense to counter the Aces’ aggressive style. She emphasized that Las Vegas’ ability to make difficult shots early in the game set the tone, and the Fever must improve in those areas going forward.

The Aces, coached by Becky Hammon, bring an impressive playoff pedigree to the matchup, having captured three WNBA titles in the past six seasons (2022, 2023, and 2025). Historically strong in close-out games, Las Vegas holds a 9-4 record in such contests during their championship years. Hammon stressed the importance of discipline and defensive effort against Indiana, which led the league in regular-season scoring with an average of 96 points per game, slightly ahead of the Aces’ 91.5.

“Indiana is not a team you want to give any life to,” Hammon said, noting their ability to score in bursts. “You have to stick to the game plan, be patient, and work hard on defense.”

The series pits the league’s two top offensive teams against each other, setting the stage for a competitive and closely watched playoff battle. The Fever’s season remains alive but hinges on their ability to rebound in Game 2 as they seek to avoid an early exit.