Fever’s Caitlin Clark tips hat to Aces for championship mettle after Game 3 loss

The Indiana Fever were sent packing in the first round of the playoffs after losing to the Las Vegas Aces, 94-83 , in Game 3 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

With both teams having their backs against the wall, the game remained close in the fourth quarter. The Aces, however, buckled up in crunch time to fend off the Fever and advance to the semifinals.

After the game, Caitlin Clark tipped her hat to the defending champions, as reported by ESPN's Michael Voepel.

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"You've got to give credit to the Aces. I thought they played well. I thought they were ready to go, and that's what championship teams do," said Clark.

The 24-year-old guard struggled from the field, scoring 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting. She also had four assists, two steals, four blocks, and six turnovers.

Kelsey Mitchell also battled with inefficiency, scoring 23 points on 8-of-23 shooting. Aliyah Boston, meanwhile, tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.

Indiana went 38% from the floor, including 9-of-32 from three-point range.

Clark was called for a technical foul in the first quarter after shoving Brianna Turner, who tried to listen to the Fever's huddle. Turner was also whistled for a technical foul.

Indiana entered the do-or-die affair with high confidence after beating Las Vegas in Game 2, with Clark exploding for 27 points, seven rebounds, and 15 assists. The defending champions, however, proved to be too much, led by the All-Star trio of A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young.

The Fever lost to the Aces in the playoffs for the second straight year.