The Las Vegas Aces were ‘wounded champions’ and their commanding performance in Game 2 was a clear indication of their intent to ‘demolish’ the Indiana Fever. Even the Aces’ HC Becky Hammon commented on the game’s physicality, while Stephanie White also sided with her counterpart.
Then came Game 3, a chance for either team to advance to the WNBA finals, and the Aces took care of business with a strong second-half performance. The Fever Coach, though, was not happy with one ‘game-changing moment’.
Stephanie White Pointed Out Referee Oversight In Game 3
The Fever and Aces matched each other in the first half, with nearly the semifinal series on the line. Late in the third quarter, the Fever had a two-point lead when officials whistled for a foul by Aliyah Boston. The Fever forward tried to make her case, but the referee let the play continue. Interestingly, Stephanie White was also angry on the sidelines as she felt that referees had neglected her appeal for a review.
A slight ‘distraction’ allowed the Aces to take an open three-pointer and lead in the game’s crucial moment. White commented on the issue in question. White said that she believes one of the refs saw her actions on the sideline and still let the play carry on.
huge swing as aliyah gets called for a foul, the aces inbound before steph white can challenge and hit a three pic.twitter.com/lJqAhRQe5D
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 27, 2025
“There’s a timeframe, and you’re trying to look at multiple angles. From what I’m told, out-of-bounds plays are the hardest ones to call. You want to make sure that it’s clear and conclusive if you’re going to challenge it. There was one that I was really trying to challenge, and they gave it to [the Aces] on the sideline. I did think that one of the officials saw, but it’s a timely thing. Sometimes you get it in on time, and sometimes you don’t,” White said in the interview.
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It’s important to note that Stephanie White also complained about the refereeing in Game 2, raising concerns over the ‘officiating issue’ in the league. Atlanta Dream’s MP Larry Gottesdiener took a subtle jab at White’s comment after the Indiana Fever’s loss.
As for the game, the moment might have handed the visitors a slight edge, but there is no denying that they outperformed the Indiana side on their home turf. The 48-year-old coach also acknowledged some impactful plays from the Aces.
Stephanie White Praises Former Indiana Fever Player In Game 3
The Las Vegas Aces were resilient in the game, even with pressure from the Fever players and crowd at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena. But Jackie Young put her best offensive game to score 25 points in the game, carrying the Aces to the victory. One more player, silently impacting the game, was NaLyssa Smith, the former Indiana forward.
The former Baylor player scored 16 points (More than Wilson) and was efficient on the field (8-of-13 from the floor). She also had four rebounds, a steal, and four blocks in 33 minutes of play. While her 18-point performance in Game 2 also played a key role in the Aces’ win, HC White praised the forward for her output.
“She’s been physical. She’s done a good job of really imposing her will and being physical in her matchup, attacking the paint, being aggressive,” White said in a postgame interview.
Smith played her first three seasons with the Fever team and left the side in the 2025 offseason overhaul. The Aces opted to give up their 2027 first-round pick to acquire Smith, a decision that is proving fruitful in the series now.