The Las Vegas Aces needed a connected game without A’ja Wilson. Instead, they got one rough quarter that changed everything.
Indiana beat the Aces 84-68 on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena, handing Las Vegas its first non-Commissioner’s Cup loss without Wilson during this stretch. The Aces fell out of their first-place tie with Minnesota after shooting 40% percent, going 4-for-19 from 3 and losing the glass 39-30.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 27 points. Aliyah Boston added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Early size bet
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus gave the Aces the early frontcourt look they needed, scoring five first-quarter points in her first start in place of Stephanie Talbot. Las Vegas fed her early, then Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd each hit a 3 as the Aces shot 62% in the quarter.
However, NaLyssa Smith picked up two fouls in the first 2:12 and sat most of the quarter. That changed the rotation quickly, and Indiana kept pressure on the glass with four offensive rebounds while Mitchell scored seven points.
The Aces also gave away five turnovers, but they still led 24-23 after one. Talbot helped swing the final minute with a 3, a defensive rebound and a steal that led to two Loyd free throws with 26.3 seconds left.
Glass tax
The Aces’ second-quarter problem started on the glass. Indiana pushed ahead 42-41 at halftime after building a 21-16 rebounding edge and a 7-2 advantage on offensive boards.
Las Vegas kept finding enough answers to stay close. Brianna Turner scored twice inside, Smith returned after early foul trouble and Chelsea Gray kept the ball moving with six first-half assists. Still, the Fever’s size created extra possessions, and Mitchell pushed Indiana with 12 first-half points.
Loyd gave the Aces their best late stretch. She scored seven points in the final 2:24, including a 3 that cut the deficit to one. Gray then made two free throws with 48.2 seconds left, but Lexie Hull beat the halftime horn with a 14-foot floater.
Third-quarter sink
The game turned in the third.
Las Vegas stayed close early by getting to the free throw line. Gray opened the half with four free throws, Young added two more and the Aces tied the game at 47.
Then the offense disappeared. The Aces shot 3-for-11 in the quarter, missed all three 3s and committed four turnovers. Eight of their 14 points came at the free throw line.
Indiana punished every empty trip. Boston hit two 3s in the quarter, Sophie Cunningham added another and Mitchell kept stressing the defense. By the end of the third, Mitchell had 23 points and the Fever led 68-55.
The bigger issue stayed on the glass. Indiana outrebounded Las Vegas 10-5 in the quarter, including 5-1 on offensive rebounds. That helped turn a back-and-forth game into a 13-point deficit.
No late answer
The Aces needed a quick push after the third-quarter slide, but Indiana never let the game tighten. Boston opened the fourth-quarter scoring for the Fever with another 3, and Las Vegas could not cut the margin below 11.
Smith gave the Aces a brief interior answer, scoring five points in the first 3:07 of the quarter. However, Las Vegas kept missing jumpers, and Indiana answered with the steadier late possessions.
Mitchell added four free throws in the fourth and finished with 27 points. Boston finished 7-for-13 from the field and made three of Indiana’s nine 3s.
The Fever closed out the win while holding the Aces to 13 points in the fourth. Some Las Vegas fans started heading for the exits with about four minutes left, while a strong Fever crowd stayed loud inside T-Mobile Arena.
Wilson gap shows
Before the game, Becky Hammon said the Aces were still searching for defensive consistency.
“We’re still looking for the full 40,” Hammon said. “Consistency is the hard part for any group, any team, any individual.”
That never arrived Sunday. The Aces had good pockets, but Indiana controlled too many possessions with rebounding, second chances and Mitchell’s shot-making.
Hammon said the key was simple.
“Making their looks difficult and rebounding.”
Indiana took 70 shots to Las Vegas’ 55 and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds. That was the game’s clearest difference.
Wilson missed her third straight game with a right ankle injury. Hammon said before the game that Wilson wanted to play, but the Aces were not rushing her back.
“I’m not letting her play,” Hammon said.
Without Wilson, Las Vegas needed another committee game. Instead, Smith was limited early by fouls, Gray shot 2-for-11, Loyd scored 12 and the Aces never found a reliable offensive rhythm after halftime.
Young led Las Vegas with 15 points, four assists and five turnovers. Gray had 10 points and six assists. Smith finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.
The loss also dropped the Aces to 1-2 at T-Mobile Arena this season. They lost the season opener there to Phoenix, beat Chicago in overtime Friday and then lost Sunday to Indiana.
Up next
The Aces visit the Portland Fire on Thursday at Moda Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.
Las Vegas will look to rebound before returning home Saturday against Phoenix.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
