Last year’s postseason was bittersweet for the Indiana Fever. They ended a seven-year playoff drought with a first-round appearance but couldn’t secure a win to bring the championship home. But things have changed. This year, the WNBA’s new format guarantees at least one home game, giving the Fever a chance to regain momentum. Even after a 90–68 loss to the Aces, Lexie Hull admits it would be nice to play at home.

In the post-game presser, the Indiana Fever forward said, “I think it’s going to be great. Our fans, they show up and they show out. And so for us, using our own energy, but also using the energy in the crowd, I think it’s gonna be really great for us.” No one’s passing up on 16,000 people having their back. The huge crowd in Indiana is known to disrupt rhythm and disturb offenses, and it’s going to be even more intense because it’s the playoffs.

Regardless of the results, the next two games are scheduled to be in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Lexie Hull made sure to emphasize how bringing playoff basketball back home was a huge moment of pride for the team. “I know the last time it was the first playoff game in a really long time. So to be able to have two more for our fans that have been there with us all season? Really excited for that, and we definitely do feed off of their energy. So really looking forward to it.” She said, hinting at better performances and livelier games for, and because of, the fans.

Their series against the Aces is currently tied, but Indiana lost the three-game win momentum after the 90-68 loss. A’ja Wilson, after a rare bad game, jumped back to put up 25 points and 9 rebounds, putting the Fever to sleep. Even the body language was quite out of character for Stephanie White’s squad. After all, the Fever HC’s pace-and-space stratagem is based on high offensive output. So, where did they go wrong? Or was it just a case of good defense by Las Vegas?

A bit of both. The Aces read the passing lanes quite well, generating 12 steals as compared to Indiana’s 5. Not to mention, their efficiency from the field demonstrated their smart shot selection from beyond the three-point line. However, that’s not where Stephanie White and her team lost the game. Let’s take a look at the major factors behind Indiana’s Game 2 loss against the Aces.

Lexie Hull and the Indiana Fever were held hostage inside the paint

Here’s a simple fact in the WNBA: You can’t stop A’ja Wilson. It should be a matter of pride for the Indiana Fever that they were able to keep her quiet for Game 1, but it’s not happening every night. What they should’ve done is focus on the basics. Don’t turn the ball over too much, take good shots, and play solid defense. But the Fever tried to do too much, which was what ultimately led to their loss.

The thing is, even though playing the Aces is difficult because of A’ja Wilson, it also becomes easy for the same reason. Becky Hammon runs her entire offense through the league’s MVP, and if you manage to stop her, they don’t have much offensive production left. So, if you can’t stop Wilson, what do you do? Make sure that their secondary and tertiary options are starved for points in the frontcourt.

Stopping NaLyssa Smith and Jackie Young should’ve been the priority for Indiana. But the Fever let Smith walk all over them, as the Aces forward put up 18 points and 7 rebounds. Because of A’ja Wilson’s unstoppable performance and NaLyssa Smith’s helpful additions, Indiana got trounced in the paint. They only had 34 points as compared to the Aces’ 48.

You can’t let Wilson and Smith take you to the rim. Both forwards use their size really well and can turn the game around within minutes. Going forward, the game plan is pretty simple for the Indiana Fever: Grab more boards, and defend the paint. If they shut down everyone else, A’ja Wilson will have a huge burden on her shoulders. But it’s easier said than done. Every player on the Las Vegas Aces is hungry and desperate for a chance to prove themselves. Can Indiana overcome them? We’ll find out soon enough.