Fever and Aces Clash Again With Both Superstars Back in the Lineup

The Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces meet for a second time with both teams at full strength, as Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson return to action following absences from their previous matchup. The contest takes place at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, broadcast on NBC and Peacock. The rematch carries significant playoff implications, with the Aces holding the league's best record at 17-6 while the Fever stand at 13-9.

The First Meeting Sets the Stage

When these teams met seven days earlier, the Fever delivered a decisive performance, winning by 16 points on Las Vegas's home floor without their franchise centerpiece. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana's offense with 27 points in that victory, demonstrating the depth the Fever possess beyond their star guard. The absence of Clark during that contest raised questions about how the Aces might respond when their roster was also incomplete, with A'ja Wilson sidelined.

Impact of Star Player Returns

The dynamics shift considerably with both superstars available. Wilson's impact proves particularly critical for Las Vegas: the Aces compiled a 105.3 defensive rating when she plays compared to 109.8 when absent, while their record without her stands at 1-3 this season. By contrast, Indiana has shown surprising resilience without Clark, posting a 4-0 record in those contests against a 9-9 mark with her in the lineup—a counterintuitive stat that suggests the Fever may have found complementary scoring options.

Wilson leads the WNBA with 25.8 points per game and poses particular danger against an Indiana defense that has struggled protecting the paint. The Fever counter with an arsenal of perimeter shooters, ranking first in offensive rating alongside Las Vegas. Both teams rank among the league's elite in three-point shooting, suggesting a potential high-scoring affair.

Momentum and Road Performance

Las Vegas enters the rematch with significant momentum. The Aces defeated Portland by eight points before delivering a 106-58 victory over Phoenix on Saturday—the third-largest blowout in WNBA history. Indiana, meanwhile, shows mixed results away from home, standing 5-5 on the road. Their only quality road victory outside of the previous week's win over a Wilson-less Aces team came against Washington, indicating potential vulnerability when traveling.