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Photos by Hugh Byrne with story by LVSportsBiz.com
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — It was an impressive crowd of announced 17,796 at T-Mobile Arena to watch the WNBA’s defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces, host the talented Indiana Fever.
Two people in the building were not on their normal game wear — Aces superstar A’ja Wilson and the Fever’s scoring-assist machine, Caitlin Clark.
Both Wilson and Clark did not play with injuries and their teammates played a very tight first half before Indiana pulled away in the second 20 minutes to record an 84-68 win. Las Vegas dropped to 15-6 on the season, while Indiana improved to 12-8. Both teams are in second place in their respective divisions.
It was the first time Indiana beat the Aces in Las Vegas.
Wilson, out with a leg injury, and Clark, injured with a back ailment, on the bench Sunday. Both missed their third straight games.
As usual, Aces owner Mark Davis, who also owns the NFL Raiders, sat courtside. On Davis’ right was his friend, Jim Gray.
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It was a tight first half. Indiana led by only a point, 42-41, a buzzer-beater by Lexie Hull.
But the Fever controlled the second half, outscoring the Aces, 42-27, and picking up the win. Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points to lead Indiana, while Jackie Young had 15 for the Aces.