The Indiana Fever, written off early, are still holding up without Caitlin Clark. After defeating the favorites Atlanta Dream in Round 1, they continued their fairytale run at the WNBA playoffs, with a win over the Las Vegas Aces. Well, it was a disappointing day for the ESPN matchup predictor, which gave the Aces a 63% chance of victory. Also, how do you blame them with the fresh 4x MVP, A’ja Wilson, playing center for the Aces?

The 29-year-old just created history as the first WNBA hooper to win four MVP titles. She surpassed legends Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, who have three of those tags. Despite that, the Fever rose to the occasion, and even NBA veteran Draymond Green weighed in on their performance.

“The Fever did exactly what they were supposed to do. When you have an MVP crowned before a playoff game, it’s something weird about the energy that the team usually can’t shake in that game,” the Golden State Warriors veteran wrote on Thread. “The Fever capitalized. It’s very hard to put the excitement for the MVP aside for the team and move forward with energy. Usually results in an extremely flat team.”

Wilson, who averaged 23.4 points per game during the regular season and 29.3 in the playoffs, was expected to carry the Aces alongside Jackie Young. But the timing of her historic MVP celebration may have briefly shifted the team’s focus. Instead of firing on all cylinders from tip-off, the Aces seemed slightly distracted, allowing the Fever to dictate the pace early and take control.

The Fever stayed locked in, and Aliyah Boston took charge of the mission. Her approach was simple but sly. She wanted to be “annoying.” And she executed exactly that. That bold plan threw Wilson off rhythm early, as she misfired on her first six attempts. The frustration stacked higher as the game wore on. Wilson managed a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, which is considered low by her standards. On top of that, her efficiency betrayed her at every turn.

By the third quarter, she was already tangled in foul trouble with four. The shots kept clanking, ending at a 6-for-22 mark from the floor. She was limited to 16 points on a rough 27.2% shooting night. The Fever had stripped the MVP of her usual dominance, forcing her to grind through every possession.

Instead, Kelsey Mitchell, fresh off finishing fifth in MVP voting, stole the entire show against the Aces. She poured in 28 points across three quarters before closing with 34, the second-highest tally in Fever playoff history. This marked the franchise’s first 30-plus playoff outing since the 2012 Finals. Even the Aces head coach Becky Hammon admitted defeat, saying, “She made every single freaking shot it felt like. She had a hot night, and we let her get going.”

The Fever has already surpassed expectations, and the way they are playing suggests their run is far from over. But this is where the story might take a turn for them. You see, the Las Vegas Aces are recent WNBA champions with two consecutive wins in 2022 and 2023. In both years, A’ja Wilson was on the team and also won the 2022 MVP.

So, for Draymond’s new GOAT, A’ja Wilson, to remain silent after the first defeat sounds like a utopian dream. Something that even the basketball gods won’t believe in. Thus, Game 2 comes on Sept. 23, with a warning, directly from Coach Hammon.

Las Vegas sends a clear warning to Kelsey Mitchell & Co. as Game 2 awaits

Becky Hammon doesn’t know how to sugarcoat the raw truth. The Aces were outperformed, and she knows it. Yet, she sent a strong message to the Indiana Fever after dropping 73-89 against them. “They haven’t seen the real Aces yet. They caught us when we were at a bit in turmoil,” Hammon told the media. “No, that they whooped us (in) one of those stretches. So, you know what? We’ll buckle in, hone in where we can, and take care of business.” Both defense and offense were shaky for Las Vegas on Sunday, but the team owns the faults.

Over the past three seasons, Indiana and Las Vegas have built a fiery rivalry that has shifted dramatically in 2025. To start, the Fever claimed the season series 2-1 and then stunned the Aces in the playoffs with an 89-73 win fueled by Kelsey Mitchell’s 34 points and Odyssey Sims’ 17. Moreover, they crushed Las Vegas 81-54 without Caitlin Clark, flexing a defense that completely rattled the champions.

Meanwhile, the balance of power tells a very different story when viewed across years. In 2023, the Aces swept all three meetings for a 100% win rate. By 2024, Las Vegas still dictated the series with a 4-0 mark. However, in 2025, the Fever grabbed two of three regular-season games and struck first in the postseason. Overall, Aces lead with 75% to Indiana’s 25%, yet momentum feels undeniably Fever-driven.

However, sustaining that magic will demand even more composure. The Aces are battle-tested, with championship muscle memory that thrives under pressure. While the Fever’s momentum feels electric, the storm ahead looks heavier. Game 2 promises to test Indiana in ways Game 1 did not.

The Aces walked off the floor, stung. But Becky Hammon’s words carried the fire that could shift the momentum in the upcoming faceoff. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson had an off night, but superstars rarely stay quiet twice. Therefore, every possession in Game 2 will push their toughness, their defense, and their belief. This stage only grows harsher from here.