The Las Vegas Aces’ championship aura evaporated in stunning fashion as the Indiana Fever handed them the most humiliating loss in franchise history.

Defending WNBA Finals MVP Chelsea Gray stood motionless at midcourt while two-time league MVP A’ja Wilson stared blankly at the scoreboard, both unable to process the 98-62 demolition unfolding before them. This wasn’t just a loss—it was a complete systemic failure that exposed shocking vulnerabilities in the back-to-back champions’ armor.

From the opening tip, Indiana played with a ferocious intensity that left Las Vegas reeling. The Fever’s swarming defense held the Aces to a franchise-worst 9 first-quarter points, with Wilson going scoreless for the entire period.

Indiana’s relentless ball pressure forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 28 transition points that had the Las Vegas crowd booing their own team by halftime.

Rookie phenom Caitlin Clark orchestrated the carnage with surgical precision, finishing with 22 points and 14 assists while completely outclassing Gray in their marquee matchup. The 36-point final margin shattered the Aces’ previous record defeat by 7 points, marking the most lopsided loss ever for the defending champions.

Wilson’s uncharacteristically passive performance (12 points on 5-of-14 shooting) revealed the brilliance of Indiana’s defensive scheme. The Fever deployed a devastating double-team strategy whenever Wilson touched the ball, daring the Aces’ role players to beat them. Nobody rose to the challenge.

Gray’s struggles reached historic lows—the veteran point guard committed 7 turnovers while being held scoreless for the first time in five years. Her frustration peaked in the third quarter when she spiked the ball after her fifth consecutive miss, earning a technical foul that seemed to encapsulate Las Vegas’ complete meltdown.

Indiana’s offensive execution was nothing short of masterful. Aliyah Boston dominated the paint with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell rained fire from deep with 6 three-pointers.

The Fever shot a blistering 54% from the field and dished out 32 assists on 39 made baskets—a clinic in team basketball that reduced the champions to helpless spectators. Most impressively, Indiana achieved this historic beatdown without starting forward NaLyssa Smith, proving their depth has reached championship-caliber levels.

The aftermath in Las Vegas promises to be turbulent. Team owner Mark Davis was seen engaged in a heated courtside discussion with GM Natalie Williams immediately after the game. Coach Becky Hammon’s postgame press conference lasted just 90 seconds before she stormed out, muttering “We got our asses kicked in every facet.”

The Aces have now lost three of their last five after a dominant 13-1 start, with all three losses coming by double digits. Their once-vaunted defense has plummeted to sixth in the league after ranking first last season, raising serious questions about their ability to three-peat.

For Indiana, this statement victory serves as the ultimate validation of their dramatic midseason turnaround. Since their dismal 1-8 start, the Fever have gone 7-2 with wins over three of the league’s top four teams.

Clark’s rapid development as a floor general has unlocked the team’s potential, while Boston has emerged as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Their chemistry was on full display as they systematically dismantled the league’s supposed gold standard.

The historic nature of this loss sends shockwaves through the WNBA landscape. Las Vegas’ aura of invincibility has been shattered, while Indiana’s young core has announced their arrival as legitimate contenders.

When these teams meet again in August, the stakes will be exponentially higher—the Aces won’t just be playing for pride, but to prove this embarrassing performance was an aberration rather than the beginning of their decline. One thing is certain: the balance of power in the WNBA may have just shifted dramatically in those stunning 40 minutes of basketball.