Aces Fall to Caitlin Clark-less Fever in Surprising Upset

The Las Vegas Aces, a powerhouse team over the past few WNBA seasons, continue to face unexpected struggles in 2025. On Thursday, the Aces failed to capitalize on a prime opportunity, losing 80-70 to the Indiana Fever, who were playing without injured star Caitlin Clark.

Despite Clark’s absence, Indiana delivered a well-rounded and impressive performance at home. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 21 points, while Natasha Howard added an impressive double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Sophie Cunningham chipped in 15 points, and Aliyah Boston also posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Even without their star rookie, the Fever shot efficiently from deep, going 11-for-23 from three-point range — a notable 47.8%. Their ability to stretch the floor was a key factor in the win, especially considering Clark is typically one of their best perimeter shooters, despite an up-and-down season.

Meanwhile, the Aces couldn’t get anything going from beyond the arc. Las Vegas made just 2-of-15 three-point attempts, a dismal 13.3% shooting night from distance. Their overall field goal percentage wasn’t much better, finishing at just 40.3%.

A’ja Wilson led the Aces in scoring with 20 points but also committed five turnovers. Jackie Young contributed 19 points, and NaLyssa Smith recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds. However, the rest of the team failed to provide consistent production, leading to another disappointing loss.

The Aces, who claimed back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023, reached the semifinals in 2024 but have not looked like the same dominant force this season. With a record hovering around .500, Las Vegas is in danger of missing out on the higher playoff seeds they’ve grown accustomed to.

While it’s only July and there’s still time to course-correct, the Aces need to find consistency and momentum fast. The loss to a Clark-less Fever team only highlights the urgency for Las Vegas to refocus and regain their championship form.