The Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever from the WNBA playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, with a 94-83 victory in Game 3 of the first round. The result marks the second consecutive year the Aces have ended the Fever's season, following a 2025 semifinals loss. Indiana entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed after finishing the regular season with a 4-4 record in its final eight games, while the Aces competed as the No. 3 seed.
The Fever began the decisive game by scoring 31 points in the first quarter, including 11 points from Caitlin Clark. However, the team did not exceed 18 points in any subsequent period. Clark, who missed the previous year's series due to injury, finished the game with 18 points but made only two of her final 11 shots after the first quarter. During the fourth quarter, Clark sustained a mouth injury after being struck in the face; no foul was called on the play, and she appeared to have a loose tooth during the postgame press conference.
The Aces were led by A'ja Wilson. Indiana had forced the third game by winning 99-89 on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Indianapolis, where Clark recorded a near triple-double. Despite cutting the Las Vegas lead to two points twice in the final quarter of Game 3, Indiana was unable to overcome the Aces' defense.
The elimination of the Indiana Fever affects the team's roster, fans, and the WNBA's viewership metrics, as Clark has been identified as a driver of attention for the league. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted in July that Clark has been used as a "political football," and her presence has led to increased attendance and media coverage for Indiana. For the Fever players, the loss transitions them into an offseason where Clark's signature Nike shoe, the "Caitlin 1," was scheduled for release on Oct. 1, followed by a children's book titled "EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams" on Nov. 3.
In financial terms, Clark is under contract through 2027 after the Fever exercised a fourth-year club option in April. According to Her Hoops Stats, her 2026 salary was $528,846, with a projected 2027 salary of $597,596. However, under the EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision in the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, Clark is now eligible to renegotiate her salary and agree to a three-year contract extension. This provision is available to players who are named to the first- or second-team All-WNBA or named MVP within their first three years; Clark qualified after being named to the All-WNBA first team in 2024.
The conclusion of the Fever's season ends their bid to challenge the league's parity, which Clark noted during her postgame remarks. While the postseason continues for the remaining teams, the Fever will focus on internal development and potential contract negotiations permitted under the CBA rules. The next major date for the guard is the publication of her book in early November, followed by preparations for the 2027 season.