Caitlin Clark’s Historic Night Helps Fever Force Game 3 as Liberty Eliminate Top Seeded Lynx

The 2026 WNBA playoffs continued Tuesday with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever extending their season while the New York Liberty ended Minnesota’s run. Indiana defeated the Las Vegas Aces 99-89, and New York eliminated the top seeded Lynx 87-71 with a two game sweep.

Clark entered Game 2 after a solid performance in Indiana’s Game 1 loss Sunday. With the Fever’s season hanging in the balance, she returned to her normal form and made league history in multiple ways.

The Fever guard finished with 27 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds. She made five triples and shot 9-of-18 from the field overall, helping Indiana answer its disappointing series opener.

Clark became the only player in WNBA history to record at least 25 points and 15 assists in a game, whether in the regular season or playoffs. Her historic production was not limited to the final numbers.

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During the opening half, Clark became the first player in league history to produce a points-assists double-double in one half of a playoff game. She had already accumulated 14 points and 11 assists by halftime.

Her work also helped Indiana recover after Las Vegas built a 29-18 lead early in the second quarter. Clark contributed to a 20-6 Fever run that moved Indiana in front by halftime.

The Fever did not surrender that halftime lead during the rest of the game. Clark eventually fouled out and the Aces made one final rally, but Indiana responded and completed the 99-89 victory.

Indiana will now travel to Las Vegas for a decisive Game 3 at Michelob Ultra Arena. Thursday’s matchup will determine which team advances, with the Aces returning home after the Game 2 loss.

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Las Vegas faced a 58-26 disadvantage in the paint Tuesday night, but A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young still supplied substantial scoring. Wilson recorded 22 points on 12-of-13 FT and added nine rebounds.

Young led the Aces with 31 points, four rebounds and five assists. She shot 7-of-19 FG and was 13-of-13 FT as Las Vegas tried to extend the series in Indiana.

A fourth quarter incident also occurred between a fan and Wilson, who has won the league MVP award four times. Security ultimately intervened to separate Wilson, and the champion three times sounded off after the game.

The Aces have won three of the last four titles and have extensive postseason success. They will have their home fans behind them for Game 3 as Indiana tries to carry its response from Tuesday into the deciding contest.

New York, meanwhile, completed its sweep behind Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu. Stewart and Jones scored 21 points apiece, while Ionescu contributed 18 points and seven assists in the 87-71 victory.

The Liberty had squeaked into the playoffs, but they became the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed since the WNBA adopted its current format in 2022. As of Tuesday, New York was the betting favorite at +270, according to FanDuel, to win its second championship.

New York now awaits the winner of the series between the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics. Minnesota, the No. 1 seed for a second consecutive year, exited the playoffs early again despite owning the league’s best regular season record.

The Lynx also had Coach of the Year Cheryl Reeve and unanimous Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles. Miles struggled in both games against the Liberty and scored only five points in Game 2, closing another disappointing postseason for Minnesota after its regular season success.

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