2026 WNBA playoffs: A'ja Wilson scores 38 to lead Aces' blowout over Fever in Game 1 of first-round series

The Las Vegas Aces won four of their final five regular-season games to seize the No. 3 seed going into the WNBA playoffs. That appeared to be a warm-up for defending their league championship.

A'ja Wilson began the 2026 WNBA postseason like a player who's won MVP honors in three of the past four seasons. She scored 38 points with 16 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead the Aces to a 102-85 win over the Indiana Fever in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Sunday's performance was the 11th 30-point playoff game of Wilson's career, extending her WNBA record. The next closest player is the New York Liberty 's Breanna Stewart with nine, via ESPN .

Wilson made postseason history in the first half with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. She became the first player to tally 20 or more points, 3-plus blocks and 2 or more steals in the opening half of a playoff game, according to the WNBA .

Jackie Young added 21 points for Las Vegas , dishing out 10 assists with 3 steals. And Chelsea Gray followed with 14 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds.

The Aces shot 59% from the floor, led by Wilson's 15-for-19 performance. She also hit both of her 3-point shots and went 6-of-7 on free throws.

Sunday's playoff opener looked like it might be competitive with the Fever only trailing 27-23 after the first quarter. Indiana even tied the score at 36-36 in the first three minutes of the frame, with rookie Raven Johnson scoring 5 points for Indiana.

From there, however, the game wasn't close. Las Vegas went on a 13-2 run, powered by Wilson and Young, and pulled away from the Fever. Wilson's first 3-pointer put the Aces ahead 57-45 and they just kept building momentum, going into halftime with a 15-point lead.

As the third quarter began, Indiana appeared lost against the Aces' onslaught, often raising their hands in bewilderment and frustration over turnovers, missed defensive rotations and referees' calls. Though the Fever faced Las Vegas in last season's playoff semifinals, Indiana frequently looked as if this was its first postseason experience against a veteran, championship squad.

Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. But she and her frontcourt mates had no answers for the matchup versus Wilson. Caitlin Clark added 15 points with 10 assists, but committed 6 turnovers. She shot 6-for-17 from the floor, including 3-of-10 on 3-pointers.

Johnson contributed 14 points off the bench, followed by 13 from Sophie Cunningham .

The Fever will have two days to shake off the blowout before hosting the Aces on their home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 2. Indiana must win to extend this first-round series to a third game. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday and will be televised on Prime Video.