A'ja Wilson scores 38 as the Aces steamroll the Fever 102-85 in Game 1

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A'ja Wilson played like someone who has multiple MVP awards, and the Las Vegas Aces looked like a team that has won three of the past four WNBA championships.

Wilson had 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots Sunday, and the Aces rolled to a 102-85 Game 1 victory over the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.

“She understands the stakes fully,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “She was a clinic tonight.”

Wilson was named the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year earlier in the day for an unprecedented third year in a row, and the third-seeded Aces looked every bit like the team that has won three of the past four championships. Wilson's scoring total matched a personal career postseason high, and she was 15 of 19.

Las Vegas point guard Chelsea Gray said when Wilson is on it like that, it’s best to “get out of the way. It’s a blessing to be able to see this every single day. I say this all the time, you can't wait till a person retires to appreciate greatness. You've got to appreciate it while it's happening."

Caitlin Clark and Indiana, which is seeded sixth, will get a chance to even the series on its court when the teams meet Tuesday night and force a Game 3 in Las Vegas. A loss ends the Fever's season and sends the defending champion Aces on to the semifinals.

It wasn't all Wilson for the Aces, who also received strong contributions from Jackie Young (21 points, 10 assists), Gray (14 points, eight assists) and Jewell Loyd (10 points). Gray now has 397 career playoff assists to pass Courtney Vandersloot (390) for second place in playoff history.

Aliyah Boston finished with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Fever, despite being hampered by a lower leg injury. Clark had 15 points and 10 assists, and Kelsey Mitchell, who put together a record 27-game streak with at least 20 points, scored 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting.

“Give Vegas credit,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “They’re defending champions for a reason. They understand the moment. They understand the playoffs require a different level of intensity and urgency, and they came with it.”

White bemoaned the 28 points the Aces scored off Indiana's 17 turnovers, and Clark gave her team an “F” for its defensive play and said the Fever were their own worst enemies on the offensive end.

“I thought our actions were sloppy,” Clark said. “I thought what we were running wasn't great and nobody got an easier open look.”

Wilson came out blazing, ending the first half with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds and three blocked shots. Fans chanted “M-V-P” when Wilson went to the free throw line.

“I think we just showed up to work, and that's what we need to do moving forward,” Wilson said.

The Aces led 62-47 at halftime and were never seriously threatened in the second half, leading by as many as 27 points. They just missed the franchise record for most points in a playoff half. Las Vegas scored 63 points against Phoenix on Aug. 20, 2022.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, left, drives against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, right, defends against Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) goes up to shoot a 3-point basket against Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner, front left, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston (7) goes to the basket against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will get prime-time exposure in Major League Baseball's Wild Card Series.

All three potential games in the AL first-round matchup that begins Tuesday will start at about 8 p.m. EDT and be televised by NBC, MLB said Sunday.

Atlanta's series hosting Philadelphia will have 2 p.m. games televised on NBC, and the Chicago White Sox series at Houston will start at 5 p.m. EDT, with games televised by NBCSN.

The Chicago Cubs' series at San Diego will have 10 p.m. EDT games and be televised by NBCSN.

All games also will be streamed on Peacock in the first year of a contract with MLB that replaced ESPN as the Wild Card Series network.

Games will be televised with Spanish-language commentary on Universo and Univision.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Boston Red Sox's Wilyer Abreu runs to first base on a single to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello delivers during the first inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)