Game 3 between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces is set to be a vital clash in a tied semifinal series. The Aces bounced back hard in Game 2 with a 90–68 blowout win, led by A’ja Wilson’s 25 points and a dominant defensive effort.

The Indiana Fever, who stunned Vegas in Game 1 behind Kelsey Mitchell’s 34-point outburst, struggled to find rhythm in the second matchup, shooting just 36% from the field.

With the series shifting to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the Fever will look to recapture their early momentum and lean on home-court energy to regain control.

Physicality has defined the series so far, with both coaches voicing concerns about officiating and foul calls.

Game 2 saw 41 fouls called, disrupting flow and frustrating players on both sides.

Indiana Fever’s guards, especially Mitchell, were visibly affected by the contact, and the Fever’s bench contributed just six points, a glaring issue given their injury-depleted roster.

For the Las Vegas Aces, the key will be maintaining defensive pressure and getting consistent production from their supporting cast.

A’ja Wilson’s ability to bounce back after off nights is well-documented, and her playoff pedigree gives the Aces a clear edge.

The Indiana Fever must find ways to slow her down while also improving their own offensive efficiency.

With the winner of Game 3 just one win away from the WNBA Finals, expect a tense, high-stakes battle where execution and composure will matter more than star power alone.

Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces Game Details

When: Friday, September 26, 2025

Time: 07:30 pm ET

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo

Here is a complete breakdown of the WNBA injury report with the latest updates, plus projected starting lineups for both teams.

Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces WNBA Injury Report

Indiana Fever Injuries

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

Las Vegas Aces Injuries

Out – None

Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces Predicted Starting Lineup

Indiana Fever: Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Odyssey Sims, Lexie Hull

Las Vegas Aces: Kierstan Bell, A’ja Wilson, NaLyssa Smith, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray.

Caitlin Clark injury derails Fever playoff hopes

Photo by Caitlyn Clark

The Indiana Fever’s playoff ambitions were dealt a crushing blow when rookie Caitlin Clark was officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season.

Clark, who injured her right groin in mid-July, had been sidelined for several weeks with hopes of a late return. Upon further medical evaluation, the Fever announced in early September that their star guard would not be coming back this season, leaving Indiana to navigate the most important stretch of the year without the player who had transformed the franchise’s identity.

Clark’s rookie campaign had already been interrupted by multiple setbacks. Before the groin injury ultimately ended her season, she had missed time with a left quad strain, a separate groin issue and a bone bruise in her ankle. When she was healthy, she showed why she was one of the most hyped prospects in WNBA history. Across just 13 games, she averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5 rebounds. Her ability to stretch the floor with deep three-pointers and orchestrate the offense created spacing that elevated teammates like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. For a Fever franchise that had struggled for nearly a decade, Clark’s arrival promised a long-awaited turnaround.

The problem for Indiana is that her absence comes at the exact moment when every possession matters. Entering September, the Fever were fighting for playoff seeding in a competitive Eastern Conference. Though they ultimately secured a postseason berth — just their second since 2016 — the roster has been battered by injuries beyond Clark’s. Sophie Cunningham was lost to a torn MCL, Sydney Colson suffered an ACL tear, Aari MacDonald broke her foot and Chloe Bibby went down with a knee injury. That left Indiana short on guards and wings, forcing Head Coach Christie Sides to lean heavily on a shortened rotation.

Without Clark, the Fever lose more than just scoring. Her playmaking is irreplaceable, as she ranked among the league leaders in assists per game. In her absence, the Fever’s offense has often stagnated, relying on individual shot-making rather than fluid ball movement. Opponents seized on the weakened backcourt, pressing Indiana’s guards into mistakes and limiting transition opportunities that once fueled Clark’s highlight-reel passes.

The timing also alters how the league and fans will view Indiana’s playoff chances. With Clark on the floor, the Fever were considered a dangerous dark horse capable of upsetting higher-seeded opponents. Without her, they are perceived as a team fighting to simply compete. Veterans now shoulder the burden of offensive creation, resulting in a team that works harder for every basket, but lacks the explosiveness Clark provided.

For now, Indiana’s postseason run will test the limits of what remains. The team has already made history by clinching back-to-back playoff appearances, something unseen in nearly a decade, but expectations have shifted. Instead of being seen as a rising threat, the Fever are now viewed as undermanned and overmatched without Clark. The question is no longer how far they can go, but whether they can salvage respect in a playoff court stacked with healthier, more experienced rosters.

In the end, Clark’s season-ending injury reshapes both Indiana’s present and future. The Fever’s playoff chances are significantly diminished, but the larger narrative is one of patience and perspective. This team was built around a rookie whose promise remains undeniable and setbacks in year one will not erase that trajectory. Still, as the playoffs begin without her, the harsh reality is clear: without Caitlin Clark, Indiana’s hopes of a deep postseason run have gone from unlikely to nearly impossible.