Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces play winner-take-all Game 3
The Indiana Fever visit the Las Vegas Aces for a winner-take-all Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, with tip-off scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on USA Network. The winner advances to the second round, while the loser’s season ends immediately.
Playoff Series Context and Game Schedule
The first-round matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever sits tied at 1-1 entering the decisive final contest. Las Vegas opened the best-of-three series with a 102-85 victory on Sunday, Sept. 27. Indiana responded in Game 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 29, securing a 99-89 win to force Thursday’s elimination game.
The victor of this series moves on to face the winner of the series between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings. In the other bracket action, the New York Liberty swept the Minnesota Lynx 2-0, and the Atlanta Dream lead the Washington Mystics 1-0.
Star Production and Roster Matchups
Both teams lean heavily on their primary scoring trios. The Fever’s core of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston combined for 45 points in the Game 1 loss before bouncing back to total 75 points in the Game 2 victory.
For Las Vegas, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray put up 73 combined points in the opening win and followed with 63 points in Game 2. Clark enters the contest coming off a regular season where she averaged 22.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, shooting 44.6% from the field and earning WNBA Comeback Player of the Year honors. The full Indiana roster includes Kelsey Mitchell, Michelle Ugonne Onyiah, Myisha Hines-Allen, Raven Johnson, Mercedes Russell, Aliyah Boston, Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, Damiris Dantas, Grace VanSlooten, Makayla Timpson, Caitlin Clark, Bree Hall, Monique Billings, and Ty Harris.
How to Watch and Stream Game 3
Thursday night’s elimination game broadcasts nationally on USA Network. Viewers looking to stream the matchup online can access coverage through services such as Sling.