One moment during the Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday overshadowed the thrilling finish, as the teams traded possessions in a back-and-forth 75-75 battle that went to overtime. An incident involving two Fever fans briefly brought the game to a halt and quickly became one of the night’s biggest talking points, with several broadcasters commenting on the issue.
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Two Indiana Fever fans were seen leaving the arena from their courtside seats accompanied by security after an exchange with Aces guard Jackie Young. A broadcaster commentated on the issue as it happened, per a video posted to X by BrickCenter.
“What I love about today’s game – you can’t sit on the sidelines and say anything. Consequences… To sit courtside and think you’re protected because you have paid for your seat. Get out of here.”
Another broadcaster quickly added, “No room for that at all.”
Before the fans left the arena, veteran WNBA reporter Scott Agness wrote about the incident on his X.
“Stoppage in play now. It appears Jackie Young is talking with the officials and team security about something said by a fan courtside.”
The incident took place with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter after Aces guard Jewell Loyd completed an and-one layup and stepped to the free-throw line. But before she could take her attempt, Loyd was caught shouting “security” by the cameras.
Young also joined her teammate and began pointing toward fans seated along the sideline. She even spoke with the game officials as the referees conferred with arena security multiple times before the two Indiana Fever fans were eventually escorted away.
While it remains unclear what those fans said or did, an Aces spokesperson revealed to USA Today that the ejected fans had reportedly “directed inappropriate comments” toward Jackie Young.
But after the game, in a statement provided to reporter Callie Fin, the Indiana Fever said:
“Following a report of a comment directed toward a player, arena security spoke with the fan involved and witnesses. Security determined there was no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct, the fan was not removed from the arena, but elected to leave. We consider the matter closed.”
As for the game itself, the Aces escaped Gainbridge Fieldhouse with an 86-84 overtime victory behind A’ja Wilson and Young, who combined for 48 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. Three Indiana Fever players also finished the night in double figures, but Caitlin Clark’s early foul trouble once again became part of the story as Indiana dropped its second straight game.
So between the heartbreaking loss and the courtside incident that briefly halted play, it was a night that gave fans plenty to talk about long after the final buzzer.