Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell & Indiana Fever Overwhelm A’ja Wilson & LV Aces Without Caitlin Clark
In a shocker that reverberated through the WNBA Wednesday night, the Indiana Fever handed the defending champion Las Vegas Aces a resounding defeat—without their superstar rookie Caitlin Clark on the floor. For those who assumed the Fever’s offense would crumble without Clark’s vision and scoring, the dynamic duo of Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell emphatically proved otherwise. Their gutsy leadership, combined with total team effort, overwhelmed league MVP A’ja Wilson and her formidable Las Vegas squad, sending a powerful message about Indiana’s growing depth and resilience.
Boston’s Dominance in the Paint
With Clark sidelined (due to injury management/rest/personal reasons—substitute accordingly), all eyes turned to former Rookie of the Year and All-Star center Aliyah Boston. She responded with perhaps her most commanding performance of the season.
Boston wasted no time establishing herself down low, exploiting mismatches and drawing double teams from the tip. By halftime she was already flirting with a double-double, bullying her way to easy buckets and second-chance points. Her footwork was immaculate, her post spins lethal, and her presence on both ends defined the game’s physicality.
She finished with an eye-popping stat line: 25 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks—completely changing the complexion of the game and making life miserable for both Wilson and Kiah Stokes in the paint.
Kelsey Mitchell Makes It Rain
With Clark out, the offensive burden shifted to Kelsey Mitchell—and she relished the spotlight. The shifty guard ignited Indiana’s perimeter attack, burying threes, orchestrating transitions, and slicing into the Aces’ defense with breathtaking quickness.
Mitchell did more than score—though her 28 points and 6 assists were certainly headline-worthy. She set the tone for tempo, barking out plays, calming the rookies, and ensuring the Fever kept the pressure on Las Vegas with every trip up the floor. When the Aces threatened late in the third, Mitchell reeled off a personal 8-point run, hitting a heat-check triple that brought the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to its feet.
Team Basketball Wins the Day
Yet this victory belonged to more than just the stars. NaLyssa Smith pulled down 10 gritty rebounds and chipped in 14 points. Erica Wheeler provided veteran poise, dishing 7 assists and picking Wilson’s pocket on a crucial fourth-quarter possession. Off the bench, Kristy Wallace delivered tenacious defense, and Grace Berger gave crucial minutes, moving the ball and creating opportunities.
On defense, Indiana packed the paint, throwing waves of bodies at A’ja Wilson and daring the Aces’ role players to beat them from outside. Wilson still managed a valiant — if not dominant — 22 points and 9 rebounds, but she labored for every shot. Without Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray firing on all cylinders, Vegas struggled to find rhythm.
No Clark, No Problem
For the Fever, this wasn’t so much a statement about life without Clark—it was a statement about what’s possible with a well-rounded squad. Clark’s impact on the Fever cannot be overstated, but this game showed Indiana can win tough matchups even when she’s not on the floor, a huge development for the franchise as playoff implications loom.
Coach Christie Sides praised her team’s next-person-up mentality: “Caitlin is a massive part of what we do, but tonight was about everyone believing in themselves. Aliyah and Kelsey took leadership, our role players dug in—this is what team basketball looks like.”
What This Means for the WNBA
This victory sends ripples across the league. It’s a warning shot: Indiana, once seen as a rebuilding squad, is emerging as a true contender—dangerous from multiple angles and able to adapt to adversity. Their spirited win demonstrates a critical truth: In a long, grueling WNBA season, no team wins on the strength of one star alone.
For the Aces, a wake-up call: Even with Wilson at her best, Vegas will need more contributions—and sharper adjustments—as they chase another championship repeat.
The Takeaway
Indiana Fever 89, Las Vegas Aces 78: No Caitlin Clark? No worries. This night belonged to Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and an Indiana Fever squad that refused to let absence spell defeat. The building blocks for a playoff run are firmly in place—and if this is a preview of what’s to come, the rest of the league should beware.
For Fever fans, the message couldn’t be clearer: This is not a one-woman show. And with Clark’s return, the future is even brighter.
Final stat line leaders: Aliyah Boston—25 pts, 15 rebs, 4 ast, 3 blks Kelsey Mitchell—28 pts, 6 ast, 3 rebs NaLyssa Smith—14 pts, 10 rebs A’ja Wilson—22 pts, 9 rebs
Indiana Fever: Deep. Fearless. Ready for anything.
