Aces beat Fever 94-83 in Game 3 to eliminate Caitlin Clark's Indiana from WNBA playoffs
Las Vegas beat Indiana 94-83 in a decisive Game 3 to win the first-round series 2-1. A'ja Wilson scored 36 points, and Caitlin Clark scored 18 and picked up a technical foul that may bring a fine.
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The story, neutrally told
The Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 94-83 in a decisive Game 3 on Thursday in Las Vegas, ending Indiana's WNBA playoff run. Fox NewsR “The season came to an end for Clark and the Indiana Fever with a 94-83 loss to A'ja Wilson and the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces in Thursday's decisive Game 3.” Read at Fox News ↗ Gulf NewsN “The Aces won the series 2-1 and advanced to the WNBA semifinals” Read at Gulf News ↗ A'ja Wilson scored 36 points, 21 of them by halftime, and Gulf News reports she also had 10 rebounds. Fox NewsR “Wilson led the charge with 36 points in the winning effort, dropping 21 by halftime.” Read at Fox News ↗ Gulf NewsN “A’ja Wilson scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Las Vegas to a 94-83 victory.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Caitlin Clark finished with 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting, while Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 23. Fox NewsR “Clark — the AP Comeback Player of the Year — finished with 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting.” Read at Fox News ↗ Gulf NewsN “Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 23.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Fox News says Indiana stayed within single digits until the final two minutes. It also says Clark took an elbow to the face from Jewell Loyd with 3:16 left and Indiana down 82-77. Clark's mouth bled, and she returned to the court. Fox NewsR “The Fever kept it within single digits until the final two minutes”“Down 82-77 in the fourth quarter with 3:16 remaining, Clark took a sharp elbow to the face from Jewell Loyd.” Read at Fox News ↗ Gulf News reports that early in Game 3 Clark pushed away Aces forward Brianna Turner, a former Fever teammate, who had joined an Indiana huddle. Officials gave technical fouls to both players. It was Clark's second technical of the playoffs, which under WNBA rules could bring a $500 fine. Gulf NewsN “Turner, who played alongside Clark for the Fever in 2025, was pushed away by Clark as the Indiana star attempted to remove her from the group.”“Under WNBA rules, a player’s first two technical fouls in the playoffs carry a $500 fine.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Clark had criticised the officiating after Indiana's 99-89 Game 2 win, in which she fouled out, calling it "just so inconsistent". Gulf NewsN ““It’s just so inconsistent. And you call an offensive foul on me and then I’m getting hit the same way on the defensive end and it’s a foul on me. It doesn’t make sense,”” Read at Gulf News ↗
Before Game 3, attention also centred on Wilson's technical foul in Game 2, when she stepped past the sideline to confront a fan. Fox News says the WNBA did not suspend her, and it quotes Aces coach Becky Hammon backing Wilson's character. Fox NewsR “Aces coach Becky Hammon was asked about the Wilson aftermath, which saw her step over and beyond the sideline to confront a fan in the stands.”“"I stand 10 toes down with the character of A'ja Wilson.” Read at Fox News ↗ Indiana finished the regular season 28-16 as the sixth seed. Clark, who averaged 20.0 points and 9.7 assists in the series, is still looking for her first playoff series win. The Fever were also eliminated by the Aces last season. Las Vegas advances to the semifinals against the winner of Golden State Valkyries vs Dallas Wings. Fox NewsR “the Fever roster still had enough talent to finish 28-16 as the sixth seed.”“Across the three-game series, Clark averaged 20.0 points, 9.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.” Read at Fox News ↗ Gulf NewsN “The Fever were eliminated by the Aces for the second consecutive season” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Fact-focused report on Clark's second playoff technical foul and a possible $500 fine after elimination.
- Emphasis
- The Turner huddle incident, fine rules, Clark's officiating complaints, series result and next opponent.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Loyd elbow, Wilson's Game 2 incident or Fever coaching criticism.
- Charged language
- “bracing for punishment”
- For example
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“Caitlin Clark could face a $500 (Dh 1,836) fine after receiving her second technical foul of the WNBA playoffs” — Gulf News
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Heroic, grievance-driven narrative about Clark going down fighting, with criticism of the league and of Fever coach Stephanie White.
- Emphasis
- Clark's bloodied mouth and grit, alleged league double standards over Wilson's Game 2 incident, and a 'revenge tour' next year.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Clark's Game 3 technical foul or possible fine, or Mitchell's 23 points.
- Charged language
- “corporate stooge”“spineless PR fluff”“League Double Standards”“revenge tour”
What every side reports
- Las Vegas beat Indiana 94-83 in Game 3 and won the series 2-1.
- A'ja Wilson scored 36 points.
- Caitlin Clark scored 18 points.
- Clark and Wilson were each involved in technical-foul incidents during the series.
Where accounts differ
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Whether the league and Indiana's coach treated Clark and Wilson fairly
- Centre
- Gulf News doesn't make this argument. It reports Clark's technical and possible fine, and Clark's own complaint about inconsistent officiating.
- Right
- Fox News (OutKick) says the WNBA looked the other way on Wilson and ignores dirty play against Clark. It also says coach Stephanie White is a 'corporate stooge' who failed to defend her players.
Caitlin Clark person
Clark scored 18 points in the loss and earlier complained about inconsistent officiating. She may be fined for her second playoff technical.
“Clark said in the press conference after Game 2.” — Gulf News
“finished with 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting” — Fox News
Las Vegas Aces organisation
The Aces, led by Wilson, advance to the semifinals; coach Becky Hammon publicly defended Wilson's character.
“"I stand 10 toes down with the character of A'ja Wilson.” — Fox News
A'ja Wilson person
Wilson scored 36 points to close out the series after the Game 2 technical-foul controversy.
“Wilson led the charge with 36 points in the winning effort” — Fox News
Indiana Fever organisation
Indiana's season ended in a 94-83 loss after a 28-16 regular season; Fox News is critical of its coaching.
“the Fever roster still had enough talent to finish 28-16 as the sixth seed.” — Fox News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Caitlin Clark bracing for punishment after Indiana Fever's elimination
Neutral Straightforward report on Clark's technical foul and possible fine, with result and series context.
Right2 articles
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Season's over: Caitlin Clark leaves it all on court with bloody mouth as Fever fall in Game 3
Sympathetic Opinionated recap casting Clark as a gritty hero and attacking the league and the Fever coach.
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- 2 Oct 05:20 First Fox NewsR Season's over: Caitlin Clark leaves it all on court with bloody mouth as Fever fall in Game 3
- 2 Oct 10:43 +5h 22m Gulf NewsN Caitlin Clark bracing for punishment after Indiana Fever's elimination
- 2 Oct 11:33 +6h 13m Fox NewsR A'ja Wilson's mom freaks out when asked to explain her 'Love Beats Hate' sign after Game 3 win vs Fever
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.