Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) drives the ball against Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims (1) during the second quarter of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) drives for a layup against the Dallas Wings during the first quarter of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) shoots against Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (32) during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates after scoring against the Golden State Valkyries during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen, left, drives to the basket against Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale during the first half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Injuries forced Caitlin Clark to sit on the bench a year ago and watch her Fever teammates have their season ended by the Aces.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after being hurt on a play during the second half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) is pressured by Indiana Fever forward Makayla Timpson (21) and guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives against Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) takes a three-point shot over Las Vegas Aces guard Mai Yamamoto (18) during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
