Aces edge Fever, Caitlin Clark to advance to WNBA semifinals behind A'ja Wilson's 36 points

For the second consecutive year, the Las Vegas Aces ended the Indiana Fever's season — this time with a 94-83 win in Game 3 on Thursday night to advance to the semifinals.Reigning MVP A'ja Wilson powered the home team with 36 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Chelsea Gray came alive late to tally 23 alongside five assists while playing the full 40 minutes. Jackie Young also played the entire game, adding 18 points and 8 rebounds. Indiana's big three of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston couldn't replicate their offensive output from Game 2, combining for 60 points.Survive and Advance 🤞The Aces are fired up after a Game 3 win at home!2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel | @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/a2hacefc6s— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2026 The game was physical and fast-paced from the start, and Clark caught fire early — usually a sign she and the Fever are in for a good night. She tallied 11 points in the first quarter, but only scored seven more the rest of the game on what ended up being a rough performance from an efficiency standpoint, going 6 for 18 from the field and 3 for 12 from beyond the arc. Mitchell similarly struggled but still put up 23 points, while Boston shot 50% and scored 19, plus 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. As a team, the Fever also shot 70% from the free-throw line. The Fever's most efficient shooter on the night was Myisha Hines-Allen off the bench with 12 points, eight of which she scored consecutively in about two minutes in the second quarter.If the Fever trio had one of its worst shooting nights, the Aces' stars had one of their best. Wilson made 11 of 18 from the field and two of three 3s, and Gray shot 53.3% from the field.Asked after the game about her mindset for this Game 3, Wilson told the broadcast: "I don't want my season to be over, I don't want to go home.""They're champions, and that's the spirit that they carry with them," Aces coach Becky Hammon said of her own big three (Wilson, Gray and Jackie Young) after the game. They'll look to add a fourth trophy in five seasons, and that quest will continue in Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday.The Aces await the winner of Game 3 of the Golden State-Dallas series on Friday. On the other side of the semifinal bracket, the Atlanta Dream will face the New York Liberty.Catch up with Yahoo Sports for all the highlights from Game 3 of the Fever-Aces series: