Aces’ defense keeps Fever’s top scorers stuck in neutral in Game 3

In a heavyweight title fight environment Thursday night at Michelob Ultra Arena, the Las Vegas Aces won by rendering the Indiana Fever’s biggest scoring threats punchless.

Las Vegas held off a late Indiana rally to win an emotionally-charged Game 3 94-83 and advance to the WNBA semifinals.

While A’ja Wilson paced the Aces offensively with a game-high 34 points, her team neutralized the scorers who led the Fever to a Game 2 victory: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.

“We were mixing up coverages, just trying to keep them off balance as much as we could,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “Tremendous execution and effort on the defensive end to give us a chance to win this game. They won it with their defense.”

On Tuesday, Clark had a plus/minus figure of 15. In Game 3, she finished with -14. Boston dropped from 13 to -1, and Mitchell from 3 to -9.

Las Vegas frustrated Indiana shooters throughout the game, playing physical defense, contesting shots and forcing decisions. In Game 2, the Fever shot 52.1 percent from the floor. In the win-or-go-home Game 3, their field-goal percentage was just 38.5.

“(I liked) the amount of effort and energy that they have to put in every possession,” Hammon said. “It’s an impressive offense.”

Sitting in the press conference room after the game, flanked by Mitchell and coach Stephanie White, Clark said Indiana played a “C” game, struggling to get into a rhythm on offense. She noted that Las Vegas’ physical defense meant not just contested shots, but trips to the free-throw line, disrupting the team’s flow.

“We just missed some shots we usually make, and sometimes you’re gonna have nights like that,” Clark said. “You gotta give credit to the Aces. I thought they played well. I thought they were ready to go, and that’s what championship teams do.”

After Stephanie Talbot went from game-time decision to inactive because of a leg injury, Hammon largely relied on veteran Jewell Loyd to guard Clark, praising her team for it’s “next woman up,” mentality.

Hammon hopes that Talbot should be good to go in Sunday’s semifinal game one, where the Aces will face either Golden State or Dallas.

Loyd played 35:19, her second-highest duration of the season, and leaned on Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray — who each played 40. Despite this, Hammon was impressed with her team’s energy. After giving up 31 points in the first quarter, the Aces kept the pressure up.

“She’s been in big games — she’s a champion,” Hammon said of Loyd. “Even before Steph was out … Jewell was one of those primary defenders on Caitlin. So she just kind of assumed her natural assignment.”