The Las Vegas Aces survived a late surge from the Indiana Fever to win the decisive Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal on Friday night.

Aces hold off Fever to clinch series

With the series tied 1‑1, the winner of the third matchup would move on to the conference final. The Aces, the top seed from the regular season, entered the game as favourites, but the Fever, who had forced the tie with a gritty win in Game 2, were intent on pulling an upset.

Both teams traded baskets early, and the Fever built a double‑digit lead midway through the second quarter. The Aces answered with a burst of three‑point shooting that cut the deficit to four points at the half‑time break.

Key plays define the contest

The third quarter saw the Fever's point guard nail a clutch three‑pointer to restore a six‑point edge. Minutes later, the Aces' centre forced a foul on a fast‑break lay‑up, converting both free throws to level the score.

In the final minutes, the Aces' veteran guard drove to the basket, drawing a charge that gave the home crowd a surge of energy. A subsequent turnover led to a fast‑break dunk that put the Aces ahead for the first time in the second half.

Coaches reflect on the battle

Aces head coach Becky Hammon praised her squad’s resilience, saying the team “kept believing even when the momentum swung.” The Fever’s coach, Christie Sides, lauded her players for “never giving up” and highlighted the defensive effort that kept the game within reach.

Both benches were animated throughout, with time‑out strategies focusing on limiting the opponent’s three‑point attempts and tightening interior defence.

Implications for the conference finals

The victory sends the Aces to the Western Conference final, where they will meet the New York Liberty, who eliminated the No 1‑seed Minnesota Lynx earlier in the day. The Liberty’s advance marks a historic shift, as they become the first Eastern team to reach the conference final since the league’s expansion in 2020.

For the Fever, the loss ends a season that saw them upset the top‑seeded Connecticut Sun in the first round, a run that captured the imagination of fans across the Midwest.

The conference final is slated for Saturday night, with a winner moving on to the WNBA championship series next week.