No Caitlin Clark, No Problem: Hungover Indiana Fever Humiliate A’ja Wilson’s Aces By 27 As Celebration Rolls On In Vegas

The Indiana Fever walked into Las Vegas on fumes—still buzzing, celebrating, and maybe nursing more than a few headaches after their historic Commissioner’s Cup triumph. But even without their rookie sensation Caitlin Clark suiting up, Indiana looked like the only sober team on the floor as they humiliated the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces in their own building.

The final score? Fever 92, Aces 65. That’s right—a 27-point dismantling of the so-called super team from Sin City.

And if you think that scoreline flatters the Aces, you’re probably right.

Indiana’s performance was equal parts ruthless execution and joyful chaos—the kind of inspired, fearless basketball that’s been brewing within the Fever since their Cup win and the national spotlight that’s come with Caitlin Clark’s arrival. But on this night, Clark was sidelined for rest after the grueling Commissioner’s Cup stretch. It didn’t matter.

While the sports world buzzes about Clark’s impact on the Fever—and rightfully so—the rest of Indiana’s roster sent a thunderous reminder: they’re not just a one-woman show.

Aliyah Boston dominated the paint. Kelsey Mitchell lit up the perimeter. NaLyssa Smith and Erica Wheeler played with swagger. And collectively, the Fever put together their most complete, locked-in performance of the season, despite every excuse in the book to sleepwalk through this one.

“We were still on cloud nine from the Cup,” said Boston with a smile postgame. “But I guess we just brought the party here.”

Meanwhile, Las Vegas might’ve wished they stayed home.

Despite another MVP-caliber night from A’ja Wilson, the Aces looked lost, disjointed, and frankly embarrassed for long stretches of the contest. Wilson poured in 29 points, singlehandedly trying to will Las Vegas into the fight. But her teammates? They combined for just 25 points—staggering numbers that paint a clear picture of the Fever’s defensive dominance and the Aces’ offensive meltdown.

The reigning champions shot just 31 percent from the field, turned the ball over 18 times, and were out-rebounded by 14—a trifecta of failure that head coach Becky Hammon called “unacceptable.”

“We got bullied,” Hammon said bluntly. “They were the tougher team. They were the smarter team. They were the more connected team. I don’t care who’s playing or who’s not—there’s no excuse for that.”

Indeed, the contrast couldn’t have been sharper. Indiana, the upstart franchise once ridiculed as bottom-feeders of the WNBA, played free and fearless, zipping passes around the perimeter, crashing the boards with relentless energy, and suffocating the Aces’ normally lethal offense.

And it wasn’t just defense. The Fever shot a blistering 53 percent from the field, drilled 11 three-pointers, and dished out 25 assists. The absence of Caitlin Clark? Barely noticeable given the way Indiana moved the ball and attacked from all angles.

Kelsey Mitchell, often overshadowed by Clark’s star power this season, embraced the moment. She poured in 22 points, including five triples, and looked every bit the veteran leader Indiana needs in big games. Her confidence was contagious as Indiana built a 15-point halftime lead and never looked back.

“This was about pride,” Mitchell said. “People forget, we’ve got hoopers on this team, too. With or without Caitlin, we believe in each other.”

Aliyah Boston added 18 points and 12 rebounds, muscling her way through Las Vegas’ interior defense like she owned the paint. NaLyssa Smith chipped in 15 points, while Erica Wheeler controlled the tempo with 9 assists and relentless defensive pressure on the Aces’ guards.

But make no mistake—the story of the night wasn’t just Indiana’s offensive explosion or their suffocating defense. It was the symbolic message sent across the league: the Fever aren’t here just to ride the Caitlin Clark wave—they’re here to win.

And they’re doing it with style, resilience, and yes, a little swagger straight from their Commissioner’s Cup celebration hangover.

Just 48 hours earlier, Indiana hoisted the franchise’s first Commissioner’s Cup trophy in front of a roaring home crowd. The champagne showers, the late-night partying, the viral social media moments—they had every reason to show up in Las Vegas sluggish, distracted, or even complacent.

Instead, they looked sharper than ever.

“Maybe we should celebrate every week,” joked head coach Christie Sides, who’s rapidly building her reputation as a culture architect in Indiana. “These girls came out locked in. The energy was unreal, and the execution matched it.”

The Aces, meanwhile, find themselves at a rare crossroads. The defending champs have looked mortal in stretches this season, plagued by inconsistency, defensive lapses, and now, a signature blowout loss on their home floor.

Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray—all All-Stars and proven scorers—combined for just 16 points. The usual chemistry and spacing that make the Aces deadly? Nowhere to be found. Instead, they looked disconnected, sluggish, and overwhelmed by Indiana’s relentless attack.

“We’ve got to look in the mirror,” Wilson said postgame. “I take responsibility as the leader. But this was embarrassing. Full credit to Indiana—they outworked us, plain and simple.”

It’s a wake-up call for Las Vegas. But for Indiana? It’s fuel for a team that’s rapidly transforming from league afterthought to legitimate contender.

Caitlin Clark has rightfully dominated headlines this season, her transcendent rookie campaign igniting record TV ratings, sold-out arenas, and a global spotlight on women’s basketball. But games like this? They reveal the Fever’s depth, grit, and the emerging belief within their locker room.

With Clark resting—and sure, maybe recovering from the same championship celebration as her teammates—the Fever still took down the league’s Goliath in convincing, jaw-dropping fashion.

The win pushes Indiana to a 13-7 record, solidifying their status as one of the league’s hottest teams over the past month. They’ve now won 9 of their last 11 games, including the Commissioner’s Cup title and statement victories over top-tier opponents.

It’s not just momentum—it’s becoming an identity.

The Fever are physical. They defend. They share the ball. And now, they’ve proven they can dominate even without their biggest star in uniform.

Next up? A chance to ride this high deeper into the summer and cement their status as more than just a feel-good story in the Caitlin Clark era.

For Las Vegas, urgent questions loom. The talent is undeniable. The championship pedigree speaks for itself. But the gap between expectations and current performances is widening—and opponents like Indiana are no longer intimidated.

“We’re not sneaking up on anybody,” Mitchell said with a grin. “But that’s okay—we like it that way.”

No Caitlin Clark? No problem. A 27-point beatdown of the Aces says it all—the Fever are for real, the party’s still rolling, and the rest of the WNBA better be ready.