Aces vs Fever and Following Commissioner’s Cup Victory

Just two days after claiming the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title over the Minnesota Lynx, the Indiana Fever proved that their momentum wasn’t a fluke. On Thursday night, July 3, the Fever returned to their home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and delivered a dominant wire-to-wire performance against the Las Vegas Aces, winning 81–54. The game not only extended Indiana’s winning streak but also ended a long-standing drought against one of the league’s top contenders.

The Fever’s victory was more than just a regular-season triumph it marked their first win over Las Vegas since 2019, breaking a painful 16-game losing streak to the Aces. Even more impressive was the defensive clinic they put on. Indiana held Las Vegas to a season-low 54 points and a field-goal percentage of just 26.2%, both of which represent new lows for the two-time defending WNBA champions.

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A Night of Milestones and Defensive Excellence

Coming off the high of the Commissioner’s Cup win, teams often suffer from what’s colloquially called a “championship hangover.” But Indiana looked sharper than ever.

Kelsey Mitchell, the veteran guard who has been one of Indiana’s most consistent offensive threats, led the charge with a team-high 25 points. She added six assists and kept the Fever’s offense fluid and aggressive throughout all four quarters. Mitchell emphasized the team’s collective mindset after the game:

“There is a lot of resilience and perseverance in our group,” she said. “For us, the goal was to make sure we defend the whole game and that’s exactly what you saw tonight.”

Indiana forced 19 turnovers from Las Vegas, matching the Aces’ season high. Their intense perimeter defense and physicality in the paint effectively shut down every Aces player not named A’ja Wilson, who singlehandedly kept Las Vegas from complete collapse.

A’ja Wilson vs. The World

Wilson, the reigning MVP and one of the most dominant players in the league, once again proved her elite status by scoring 29 of the Aces’ 54 points. She shot 9-of-20 from the field and hit 11-of-12 free throws, doing everything she could to keep her team competitive.

However, no other Las Vegas player scored more than six points. Jackie Young struggled mightily, finishing with just six points on 2-of-8 shooting, while Chelsea Gray was held to a mere two points. The rest of the Aces combined for an abysmal shooting night and failed to provide Wilson with any meaningful support.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Fever 21, Aces 14

Indiana wasted no time asserting control. They jumped out to a seven-point lead by the end of the first quarter behind strong play from Aliyah Boston, who contributed eight points and four rebounds in the opening 10 minutes. Mitchell and Howard combined for another 13 points.

The Fever shot 52.9% in the first quarter, compared to 28.6% from the Aces. Indiana also dominated the paint 16–4, setting the tone physically early on. A’ja Wilson had 10 of Las Vegas’ 14 points already a red flag for the Aces’ lack of balanced scoring.

Halftime: Fever 46, Aces 24

By halftime, the Fever had grown their lead to 22 points, their largest halftime lead of the season. Boston led the way with 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Mitchell had 12, and Howard added 10. Indiana’s defense was suffocating, holding Las Vegas to 25.8% shooting and forcing 10 turnovers.

Wilson was responsible for 17 of Las Vegas’ 24 points at the break, shooting 6-of-13 from the field. The rest of the Aces’ roster shot a horrific 2-of-18. It was clear that the Fever’s game plan of shutting down everyone except Wilson was working flawlessly.

Third Quarter: Fever 68, Aces 47

The third quarter saw more of the same: Indiana widened the gap to 24 points. Mitchell continued her offensive barrage, reaching 23 points and six assists by the end of the quarter. Boston remained consistent inside, and Howard recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Fever’s team field-goal percentage remained above 50%, while the Aces hovered around 29%. Despite Wilson’s best efforts, the game was slipping further away.

Final Score: Fever 81, Aces 54

The fourth quarter was mostly academic. Indiana maintained control, never letting the Aces back into the game. The Fever outperformed Las Vegas in nearly every statistical category field-goal percentage, turnovers forced, paint points, and assists.

This was Las Vegas’ worst offensive performance of the season, falling short of their previous low of 62 points (recorded against Minnesota on June 17).

No Caitlin Clark, No Problem

One of the biggest storylines entering the game was the absence of Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s rookie phenom and 2025 All-Star. Clark missed her fourth consecutive game due to a left groin injury and has now been sidelined for a total of nine games this season (five earlier due to a quad injury).

Yet the Fever haven’t missed a beat. They are 5-4 without Clark, proving their depth and resilience. Aliyah Boston’s continued growth, Mitchell’s leadership, and Howard’s veteran presence have kept Indiana’s engine running.

Still, fans eagerly await Clark’s return, especially as Indiana begins preparing for the playoff push. The team has developed a more balanced identity in her absence, which could serve them well once she’s back on the floor.

Historical Context: Ending a Drought

The victory over Las Vegas marked a historic moment for the Fever. Since their last win over the Aces in 2019, Indiana had lost 16 consecutive matchups. That streak spanned multiple seasons, roster changes, coaching shifts, and organizational struggles.

Thursday’s win symbolized not just redemption, but transformation. The Fever are no longer a rebuilding team trying to find their identity they are a contender.

Game Broadcast and Streaming Details

Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

TV: No national broadcast

Streaming: Available live via Prime Video

Replay: Available on WNBA League Pass

Looking Ahead

The Fever are riding a wave of momentum. They’ve won back-to-back high-stakes games and proven they can win without Caitlin Clark. The next few games will test their ability to stay consistent, especially as Clark’s return draws nearer.

With this latest win, Indiana not only sends a warning to the rest of the WNBA but also delivers a powerful message: This team is for real.

In one of the most convincing performances of the 2025 WNBA season, the Indiana Fever silenced the doubters, shut down a championship-caliber team, and made a loud statement to the league. With or without Caitlin Clark, the Fever are building something special and on Thursday night, they reminded everyone why they’re not to be overlooked.

As they move forward into the second half of the season, the Fever’s blend of young talent, defensive grit, and emerging star power could make them one of the most dangerous teams in the league. The future in Indiana is no longer just promising it’s here.

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