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“Well, it’s hard for us to find flow when there’s a foul called every 10 seconds. I mean, it just really is,” said coach Stephanie White, reflecting on the Indiana Fever’s struggles in Game 2 of the semifinals. The team just couldn’t get into a rhythm, stifled by constant whistles and physical play. Now, with the series tied 1-1 and heading back to Indiana, the stage is set for a showdown. Fans are buzzing, eager to see what twists and turns the Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces matchup has in store next.

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The last time these two teams clashed, a whopping 41 fouls were committed, highlighting just how physical the matchup can get. Aces coach Becky Hammon had demanded that intensity after falling to a Kelsey Mitchell masterclass in Game 1. But Game 2 told a different story. A’Ja Wilson found her rhythm after shooting just 6-of-22 in the opener, while Mitchell was held under 15 points.

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But this is Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a venue known for its electric atmosphere, so you can expect something special to unfold on the court. Here’s a complete breakdown of everything you need to know about the game.

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Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces: Where to watch

  • Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 pm ET
  • Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
  • Watch on: ESPN
  • Streaming:  Fubo

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Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces: Injury Report

  • Caitlin Clark  – Out (groin injury)
  • Lexie Hull – Probable (back)
  • Damiris Dantas  – Out (concussion protocol)
  • Chloe Bibby  – Out (left knee)
  • Sophie Cunningham – Out (right knee)
  • Sydney Colson – Out (left knee)
  • Aari McDonald – Out (right foot)

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Probable Starting Lineups

Indiana Fever

  • Natasha Howard
  • Aliyah Boston
  • Odyssey Sims
  • Kelsey Mitchell
  • Lexie Hull/Shey Peddy

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Las Vegas Aces

  • NaLyssa Smith
  • Kierstan Bell
  • A’ja Wilson
  • Chelsea Gray
  • Jackie Young

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Prediction: Can the Fever defy odds once again?

It goes without saying that the Aces enter this game as the favorites. That was the consensus before Game 1 as well–until Kelsey Mitchell exploded for a playoff career-high 34 points, leading the Fever to an 89-73 victory. Mitchell wasn’t the only standout; Aliyah Boston was a defensive force, limiting A’Ja Wilson’s effectiveness around the basket.

Wilson missed 14 shots in the paint, including four from inside the restricted area. Most of those attempts weren’t easy, though. Boston guarded her on 35 possessions and held her to just a 16.7% effective field-goal percentage, according to Swish Appeal’s Josh Felton.

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The Aces bounced back in commanding fashion, led by A’ja Wilson, who scored 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting, while former Fever star NaLyssa Smith exacted her revenge with 18 points and 7 rebounds. The performance reinforced their status as favorites to reach the Finals. And rightly so! They had secured the 2nd seed after a 16-game winning streak in the regular season. The Fever, on the other hand, had fought tooth and nail to make the playoffs, with five key players sidelined for the season.

Naturally, the numbers favor the Aces. Even in the postseason, they’ve outscored the Fever, averaging 84.4 points per game compared to Indiana’s 77.8. They also boast the best field-goal percentage among all playoff teams at 48.1%. Defensively, however, the Fever holds a slight edge, allowing one point fewer per game than the Aces during the postseason.

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You’d think that would make the Aces the clear favorites heading into Game 3, right? Surprisingly, ESPN gives the Fever a 52.5% chance of winning. Why? The home-court advantage is huge for a team like Indiana. The atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse alone could be enough to tilt the game in their favor.

Who do you think will take Game 3? Drop your predictions in the comments below. We want to hear from you!

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Written by

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Akash Das

1,369 Articles

Akash Das is an NCAA and WNBA Writer at EssentiallySports, where his bylines dive deep into the structural side of basketball. With a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and a Master’s in Sports Business & Management from the University of Liverpool, he grounds every feature in strong reporting fundamentals and academic rigor. His coverage tracks how coaching blueprints, roster construction, and roster moves, from the NCAA transfer portal to WNBA free agency, shape outcomes on the court.

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Edited by

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Shreya Singh

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