If you had told Stephanie White they would be 1-1 after two games against the Las Vegas Aces, she would have taken it with both hands. Which is why brushing off the Game 2 90-68 blowout will just be a little bit easier. Looking ahead to Game 3, the Indiana Fever will return to their den at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where a sold-out crowd will likely be waiting. 

Because of Fever’s Game 1 win, Vegas will need to steal one of the two on the road. The pressure will be relieved if they manage to take the lead here, making this a crucial juncture in this series. Game 3 has another narrative as former Fever NaLyssa Smith will be returning after a massive 18-point game 2.  “I think it’ll be cool,” Smith said of returning to Indiana. “They always have a great crowd. It’s going to be different being on the other side of things, but I think we know how to weather storms. We’ve been in environments with big crowds already, so I think we’ll be fine.”

A’ja Wilson will once again go up against Aliyah Boston, who will be needed to do more for the Fever to have a chance. This series has already played with the fan expectations after the Fever’s Game 1 win. However, it hasn’t seen a real competitive game yet, with both games being one-sided outcomes. And Game 3 has the feel of being a close game, but will Fever fan favourite Rebecca Lobo be the voice for Game 3? Let’s find out.

ESPN Broadcast Team for the Fever vs Aces Game 3

Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play):

Unfortunately for Ruocco, his favourite Caitlin Clark won’t be on the court for this Fever game. “I have never experienced something like what it’s like covering a Caitlin Clark game. It’s like going to a concert.” He has said. However, the game will have the same intensity and fire as the crowd will be completely behind the team in this all-important playoff game. Ruocco, a WNBA regular since 2013, is an expert at creating that atmosphere, providing fans at home with the best experience. 

Rebecca Lobo (analyst):

Lobo is probably the best tactician in the broadcast team. Just look at her experience as a player and in the media. She was one of the first players signed to the WNBA in 1997. Before that, Lobo played for UConn under future Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma, winning an undefeated national title in 1995. After retiring in 2003, she moved from playing the game to calling it. She quickly joined ESPN in 2004 and has been the backbone of basketball broadcasting ever since. 

Holly Rowe (sideline reporter):

Rowe completes this dream team as a sideline reporter. She interacts with players during the game to give us the exact feelings during the game. Rowe also fast-tracks injury reports, like she did with Caitlin Clark earlier in the season. It will probably be needed in Game 3 as every player is a little banged up from Game 2.  These three are slated to cover Game 3 of Fever vs Aces, but they will likely switch midway. “It was always the plan to switch midway, I’m told, so the No. 1 broadcast team can get a look at all four potential finals teams.”Wrote IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson.

ESPN’s Coverage of Fever vs Aces

The first two games have already been a hit on ESPN. Game 1 averaged 1.4 million viewers, while it averaged 1.1 million viewers for Game 2. The rest of the series is expected to have even better numbers as we get to the business end. 

Game 1: Fever won on the road 89-73

Game 2: Aces won at home 90-68

Game 3: Aces at Fever  Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. ET: ESPN2 

Game 4: Aces at Fever, Sunday, September 28, 3 p.m. ET- ABC

Game 5*: Fever at Aces, Tuesday, September 30, TBD – TBD

Fever is battling the tide. They weren’t expected to go past the Atlanta Dream in the first round, but they did. Coming up against the Aces, they were expected to be dominated away from home, but they pulled off all the stops and stole 1. The Aces are still under pressure, but with the momentum of Game 2 behind them, they will bet on themselves. Game 3 is proving to be a tasty clash that could decide the course of the series.