The Las Vegas Aces are one victory away from heading back to the WNBA Finals after an 84-72 win over the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday night.

The Aces, who have been to the Finals three times since 2020, won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. They had four of five starters in double-figures led by Jackie Young’s 25 points. NaLyssa Smith added 16 and Chelsea Gray 15. Dana Evans added 10 points off the bench.

MVP A’ja Wilson, whose boyfriend Bam Adebayo attended the game, started hot, burying a 3-pointer in the opening seconds, but ended up 6-of-20 on field goals. She stuffed the stat sheet in other categories with eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

‘We had to do it collectively,’ Aces coach Becky Hammon said. ‘We know we are better as a group.’

The Fever kept it close for three quarters but then went ice cold from the floor. They went close to nine minutes without a field goal from the end of the third quarter into the fourth. Lexie Hull broke the drought with a driving layup with 2:25 remaining. To add insult to injury, they struggled from the free throw line making 13-of-21.

Kelsey Mitchell had 21 points and Hull finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Indiana. Aliyah Boston had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Fever had 16-4 edge in offensive rebounds.

The series stays in Indianapolis for Game 4 on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC).

Fever missing free throws

The Fever finished 13-of-21 from the free throw line for 62% after shooting 77% in the regular season.

How many fouls do you get in the WNBA?

Each player is allowed five fouls per game and is disqualified on their sixth foul. Lexie Hull currently has four fouls for the Fever.

End of Q3: Aces 59, Fever 56

Indiana took its first lead in the third quarter and led by as many as five points.

The Aces recovered in the closing seconds of the frame and have a three-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter. 

Aces guard Jackie Young has a game-high 21 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. NaLyssa Smith added 10 points, four rebounds and three blocks, while A’ja Wilson scored her first field goal since the 9:37 mark in the first quarter with 2:03 remaining in the third quarter. Wilson is up to seven points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. 

The Aces are collectively shooting 49.0% from the field and 4-of-10 from the 3-point line. 

Kelsey Mitchell has 18 points, two rebounds and one steal. Lexie Hull has 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 23 minutes, but was limited in the third quarter with four fouls. Aliyah Boston is closing in on a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. The Fever are collectively shooting 35.1% from the fields and 6-of-18 from 3.

The Fever have outrebounded the Aces with 33 rebounds (15 offensive), compared to 20 for Las Vegas, yet find themselves trailing. 

Lexie Hull in foul trouble

Hull has been brilliant in Game 3 so far, racking up 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 23 minutes. But the Fever guard was called for an offensive foul after appearing to trip Aces’ Chelsea Gray with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter, her fourth of the game. Hull had to take a seat due to the foul trouble and was replaced by Aerial Powers.

Halftime: Aces 35, Fever 34

Las Vegas opened the second quarter on a 6-0 run to stretch its lead to 10 points, the largest of the game, but the Fever showed their grit as they have all season long and went on a 11-4 run to close the first half and cut their deficit to one point at halftime.

Kelsey Mitchell and A’ja Wilson, superstars of the Fever and Aces, respectively, both struggled out of the gate. Wilson was held scoreless in the second quarter and has three points on the night, shooting 1-of-11 from the field and 1-of 2 from three. Wilson added five rebounds, two assists and four blocks to her stat line. 

Mitchell started the game shooting 2-of-10 from the field and 0-of-3 from the 3-point line, before knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers to get going and fuel the Fever’s run. Mitchell is up to 11 points and two rebounds. Fever guard Lexie Hull added 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Odyssey Sims is still looking to get on the board (0-of-6 FG, 0-of-1 3PT). 

Las Vegas guard Jackie Young (10 points, four rebounds) is the only Aces player to reach double-digits. NaLyssa Smith added eight points and two rebounds, while Chelsea Gray has seven points and three assists. 

The Fever are controlling the boards with 26 rebounds (11 offensive), compared to 16 rebounds (3 offensive) for the Aces. Las Vegas, however, has a slight advantage in the paint (22-18) and in transition (2-0).

End of Q1: Aces 20, Fever 16

The Aces led by as many as seven points in the first quarter. 

Aces guard Jackie Young has six points, shooting 3-of-4 from the field. A’ja Wilson knocked down her first 3-point attempt of the night, but has been cold since, finishing the first quarter 1-of-7 from the field in 10 minutes. Wilson, however, has impacted the game defensively with four rebounds and two blocks. NaLyssa Smith added four points. 

Aliyah Boston has a team-high six points for the Fever. Lexie Hull added five points. 

A’ja Wilson dominates early

Game 3 is underway at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Aces got on the board first with a 3-pointer from center A’ja Wilson and Las Vegas jumped to an 11-6 lead with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter. Halfway through the first quarter, Wilson is already putting on a defensive clinic with four rebounds and two blocks, in addition to three points. NaLyssa Smith has kept the momentum flowing from her 18-point performance in Game 2 with a team-high four points so far.

Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell each have two points for the Fever.  

What time is Aces vs. Fever Game 3?

Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals series between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 6 seed Indiana Fever is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 26 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

How to watch Aces vs. Fever WNBA playoffs: TV, stream for Game 3

Date: Friday, Sept. 26
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Fever-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

Indiana Fever lineup

Head coach: Stephanie White

0 Kelsey Mitchell | G 5′ 8′ – Ohio State1 Odyssey Sims | G 5′ 8′ – Baylor6 Natasha Howard | F 6′ 3′ – Florida State7 Aliyah Boston | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina10 Lexie Hull | G 6′ 1′ – Stanford

WNBA playoffs 2025: Aces vs. Fever schedule

All times Eastern; *-if necessary

Series 1-1

Game 1: Fever 89, Aces 73
Game 2, Tuesday: Aces 90, Fever 68
Game 3, Friday: Aces at Fever, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 4, Sunday: Aces at Fever, 3 p.m. ET on Sunday (ABC)
Game 5, Tuesday, Sept. 30: Fever at Aces, TBD*

Caitlin Clark injury timeline

May 24: Clark suffered a left quad injury during the Fever’s 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Clark couldn’t pinpoint the specific play that caused her injury, but noted that it happened early in the contest. Clark said, ‘Adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle. After the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see.’ She missed the Fever’s next five games.
June 14: Clark returned to Indiana’s lineup in the Fever’s 102-88 win over the Liberty and dropped 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in her first game back. 
June 24: Clark suffered a left groin injury in the Fever’s 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm, which resulted in Clark missing the team’s next four games. Fever coach Stephanie White said she learned of Clark’s groin injury the following night after Clark alerted team trainers of discomfort.
July 1: Clark was ruled out of the Fever’s 2025 Commissioner’s Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis. That didn’t stop Clark from rightfully celebrating the team’s hardware.
July 9: Clark returned to the Fever’s lineup in the Fever’s 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Clark was limited to 10 points, shooting 4 of 12 from the field and 2 of 5 from the 3-point line, and had six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers. Following the blowout loss, Clark said it was ‘going to take me a second to get my wind back. … Just trying to get my legs under me.’
July 15: Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston. White later confirmed Clark ‘felt a little something in her groin.’ This marked the last game for which Clark suited up.
July 18: Clark announced that she would sit out the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, where she was named a team captain. Clark was also set to participate in the 3-point contest. She said, ‘I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate … I have to rest my body.’
July 24: The Fever said Clark’s medical evaluations confirmed there’s ‘no additional injuries or damage,’ but the team said it will be cautious with Clark’s rehab and recovery.
Aug. 7: Clark reportedly suffered a mild bone bruise in her left ankle during an individual workout session in Phoenix, according to The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Aug. 8: During an appearance on Sue Bird’s podcast, ‘Bird’s Eye View,’ Clark spoke about the frustrations of her injury-filled season: “It’s not like I have a training camp to build up to play in my first game again. It’s like no, you’re tossed into Game 30 — like, ‘Go try to play well.’ It’s hard, it really is.”
Aug. 10: Fever coach Stephanie White said Clark has progressed in her recovery and has started running full court again, but Clark hasn’t returned to practice just yet: an important step in her ramp-up. ‘She’s been able to get a little bit more in her full-court running with all of her body weight. … She’s been able to do a little more on the court in terms of how she moves, but not into practice yet,’ White said.
Aug. 20: White confirmed that Clark has not returned to practice yet.
Aug. 24: Clark participated in a team shootaround and went through some non-contact drills with the second team, marking her first time practicing with the team since suffering a right groin injury on July 15.
Sept. 4: Clark shared a post on her official X account, stating that she will miss the rest of the regular season and any potential postseason action.

WNBA MVP 2025: A’ja Wilson wins for record fourth time

A’ja Wilson was named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season. She is the first four-time MVP, besting three-time winners Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson. 

Wilson received 51 of 72 first-place votes and 21 second-place votes (657 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The Las Vegas Aces center won the award over finalists Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (534),  Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (391), Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (180) and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (93).

Indiana Fever roster

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The Minnesota Lynx have had one goal since losing in the WNBA Finals last season: Get back and win it.

The Phoenix Mercury showed they won’t just roll over and let that happen by clawing their way back from a 20-point deficit to win in overtime on Tuesday. The 20-point comeback was the third-largest in the history of the WNBA playoffs and Phoenix’s first postseason win at Minnesota after 10 consecutive losses. The victory evened the WNBA semifinal best-of-five series series at a game apiece.

Alyssa Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists and Satou Sabally scored 11 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter for the Mercury.

“We’re confident in us, and we’ve been battling all season long,” Sabally said. “You can’t give up a basketball game if you’re down.’

The Lynx have a chance to earn back home court by winning one of two upcoming games in Arizona. The teams play in Phoenix Friday night (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

What time is Mercury vs. Lynx Game 3?

Game 3 of the WNBA semifinal series between the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx and No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET at PHX Arena in Phoenix .

How to watch Mercury vs. Lynx WNBA playoffs: TV, stream for Game 3

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix)
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Fever-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. courtside at for WNBA semifinals

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. knows something about winning titles.  He had an undefeated record and won 15 major world championships. 

Minnesota Lynx starting lineup

Head coach: Cheryl Reeve

6 Bridget Carleton | F 6′ 2′ – Iowa State
8 Alanna Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Stanford
10 Courtney Williams | G 5′ 8′ – South Florida
21 Kayla McBride | G 5′ 11′ – Notre Dame
24 Napheesa Collier | F 6′ 1′ – UConn

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

Minnesota Lynx arrivals

Lynx are fighting through the bad weather to get to the arena.

Phoenix Mercury arrivals

Satou Sabally is all business in her suit

Kathryn Westbeld in the house. The boots!

The gunman who killed four people at the New York headquarters of the NFL had low-stage CTE, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on Friday.

“Following a thorough assessment and extensive analysis by our neuropathology experts, OCME has found unambiguous diagnostic evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE, in the brain tissue of the decedent. The findings correspond with the classification of low-stage CTE, according to current consensus criteria,’ the office said in a statement. 

‘CTE may be found in the brains of decedents with a history of repeated exposure to head trauma,’ the statement continued. ‘The science around this condition continues to evolve, and the physical and mental manifestations of CTE remain under study.’

The medical examiner’s office had previously stated that the gunman, Shane Tamura, died by suicide due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The pathologists, in the latest statement, do not say whether CTE played a role.

The NFL said in its own statement, ‘We continue to grieve the senseless loss of lives, and our hearts remain with the victims’ families and our dedicated employees.’

‘There is no justification for the horrific acts that took place,’ the NFL statement continued. ‘As the medical examiner notes ‘the science around this condition continues to evolve, and the physical and mental manifestations of CTE remain under study.”

The 27-year-old former high school football player shot himself in the chest after killing Aland Etienne, Wesley LePatner, Julia Hyman and New York police officer Didarul Islam at the Midtown Manhattan skyscraper.

Police found a three-page note in Tamura’s pocket claiming he had a traumatic brain injury. He blamed the NFL for what he said was ‘concealing the dangers to players’ brains to maximize profits.’  

Elsewhere, Tamura wrote: “Study my brain please. I’m sorry.’ 

Investigators believe the gunman, who drove from Las Vegas to New York, targeted the NFL headquarters.

A Facebook post that led to the cancellation of the 101st edition of a high school rivalry game in Alabama has been traced back to a faith-based camp website in Wisconsin.

According to the Tuscaloosa News, the long-standing football game between Pickens County and Gordo, which has been held since the 1920s, has been canceled. This decision came after a controversial Facebook post allegedly showed the Gordo cheerleading squad participating in ‘Dress-Up Day’ by wearing safari gear and holding toy monkeys and bananas. The post was later deleted, and an apology was issued by the principal on the school’s Facebook page.

Gordo Principal Jeff Campbell, expressing deep regret, stated that the post was never intended to be offensive. However, he acknowledged that it was received that way, took full responsibility, and apologized to the community and Pickens County High School.

The photo in question had been posted on multiple Gordo High School pages, but it is identical to an image from the website of Camp Luther, a camp in Wisconsin, which claims the photo features college summer staffers.

Gordo was scheduled to host Pickens County in the ‘Eight-mile War’ on Friday, Sept. 26, but since discovering the origin of the original photo, there are no plans to reschedule the game.

Read more and follow the latest at the Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network.

U.S. Ryder Cup golfer Bryson DeChambeau sized up Bethpage Black’s par-4 first hole ahead of the Friday, Sept. 26, first round with a headline-grabbing assessment.

Known for his massive drives, the fan favorite said he’d be able to drive the green, given the right conditions.

“That’s nothing, right?” DeChambeau said Thursday, Sept. 25. “Just a normal long drive shot.” 

He estimated that the front of the green on the 397-yard hole would be reachable with a drive of about 365 yards.

With that background, here goes nothing (pro tip: sound on):

Bryson DeChambeau nearly drives Hole 1 green to start Ryder Cup Round 1

That highlight drive wasn’t enough to overcome Europe’s strong play in the morning, as the U.S. fell into a 3-1 deficit heading into the afternoon.

DeChambeau greeted by President Trump ahead of afternoon round

DeChambeau received an extra boost of encouragement from President Donald Trump ahead of Friday’s second round, sharing a handshake, a few words and a fist bump with the nation’s most powerful golf fan.

Afterward, DeChambeau let it rip for a 340-yard drive. Not to the green, but the crowd seemed to like it.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The New England Patriots will be without their defensive coordinator on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

Coach Mike Vrabel announced today that Terrell Williams has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

‘I unfortunately have to tell you Terrell Williams was determined to have prostate cancer and is in the process of treatment, meeting with specialists figuring out the best plan of attack,’ Vrabel said. ‘You know how much Terrell means to me personally and to the people on this football team… we want to send our regards and publicly let everyone know what he’s dealing with.

When he’s ready to talk, he’ll talk on his behalf but I wanted to let you know that’s what was going on.’

He’d been missing from the sidelines over the last two weeks with inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr calling plays in his stead.

‘We’ll continue as we have been with Zak Kuhr calling the defenses,’ Vrabel said. ‘I think that went well. I think the communication through the week, [the] organization hasn’t missed a beat whatsoever. I think those guys are doing a great job over there.’

Vrabel reiterated that he’s comfortable with where the team is at to handle Williams’ absence and that they’re thinking of him in this process.

‘Our thoughts, our prayers – [Williams] knows, we talk all the time – but just that are with him, his family, been through a lot and we care about him,’ he said.

Williams played noseguard for East Carolina in his college career. He coached defensive line at multiple college programs from 1998 to 2011 before breaking into the NFL in 2012 with the then-Oakland Raiders under head coach Dennis Allen.

Vrabel hired Williams when he first came to the Tennessee Titans in 2018. Williams coached the defensive line and took on assistant head coach duties in 2023. He spent a year with the Detroit Lions in 2024 before reuniting with Vrabel again in New England this season as a defensive coordinator for the first time.

The Florida Panthers’ defense of their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships is facing a serious challenge even before the season opens Oct. 7.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov had surgery on his right knee Friday, Sept. 26, after he was injured during Thursday’s practice and needed assistance standing up and getting off the ice.

The Panthers said in a statement that Barkov ‘suffered injuries’ to his ACL and MCL. They added he will ‘be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis’ but also said the ‘expected recovery timeline for these injuries is 7 to 9 months.’

That sets Barkov up to miss the entire regular season if not the entire 2025-26 campaign, as well as the Olympics, which Barkov was set to represent Finland at.

‘There’s no hiding it,’ Panthers coach Paul Maurice said earlier Friday. ‘That’s the big man. He plays such an important part in the locker room. … I know there’s the idea: next man up. I get that, but there’s not a next man for Barkie’s skates.’

Barkov has won the Selke Trophy three times as the NHL’s top defensive forward, including the last two seasons. He has been captain since the 2018-19 season.

Friday’s news means the Panthers will be without three forwards who helped them win the Stanley Cup last season.

Forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek are out after offseason surgery, with Tkachuk expected back ‘December-ish’ and Nosek expected to miss months.

Aleksander Barkov stats

Barkov, who centers the Panthers’ top line, ranked second on the Panthers in the 2024-25 regular season with 71 points, despite missing 15 games. He had another 22 points in 23 games in the playoffs to help the Panthers win a second consecutive title.

Tkachuk had 23 points in the playoffs after returning from a 4 Nations Face-Off injury. Nosek played a key role in helping the Panthers overcome a 2-0 series deficit against the Toronto Maple Leafs when Maurice changed up his fourth line.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The Indiana Fever have shocked much of the basketball world by advancing to the WNBA semifinals despite losing five players to season-ending injuries including All-Star guard Caitlin Clark.

The Fever took it a step further by beating the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the series Sunday.

But, in Game 2 Tuesday, the Aces and four-time MVP A’ja Wilson rose up. They turned up the defensive heat in a 90-68 victory to even the best-of-five semifinal series as it heads to Indianapolis on Friday, Sept. 26.

Wilson finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, five steals and two blocks in 33 minutes. The Aces improved to 11-0 in the postseason when Wilson scores 25 or more points. She’s the fourth player in WNBA playoff history with 25 or more points and five or more steals in a game.

‘They’ve been world champions for a reason,’ Fever coach Stephanie White said. ‘They have a mentality they know exactly how to compete at this stage and this level. We’ve got to be able to respond, and we’ve got to be able to rise to that challenge.”

Game 3 will give the Fever that chance.

What time is Aces vs. Fever Game 3?

Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals series between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 6 seed Indiana Fever is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 26 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

How to watch Aces vs. Fever WNBA playoffs: TV, stream for Game 3

Date: Friday, Sept. 26
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Fever-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)