Aces forward A’ja Wilson saw her points drop from 38 in Game 1 to 22 in Game 2, while Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark racked up 27 points and 15 assists. However, an incident in the fourth quarter stole the show from them both.

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith provided his own opinion about "First Take" based on the video footage.

"It looks like an overreaction. When you tangle with another player, a fan standing up and pointing at you is not a crime," Smith said.

The game clock was running down to less than four minutes when the Fever had an 88-77 lead, and Wilson received a technical foul for leaving the floor toward the fans at the baseline. After reviewing statements from witnesses, the Fever security team found no breach of the Fan Code of Conduct.

Wilson countered in her postgame press conference.

"If I see a man come at me, taking steps towards me, and pointing at me, I don't give a damn what you said," Wilson said. 

She is right to be upset. Two spectators had to be removed from Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 12 because of arguments with Aces guard Jackie Young. Wilson still had to apologize to her teammates for the technical foul that she received.

However, Smith did not only criticize her. He clearly stated his position concerning her skills as a basketball player.

Stephen A. Smith Defends A’ja Wilson's Stature While Doubting Her Reaction

But here’s where things get interesting. Smith continued to hail Wilson as the best, and this is what makes the story develop further as the Aces prepare for Game 3. On “First Take,” he started by recognizing her status.

"I would love to come to her defense because she's the best. But I don't see anything there," Smith said.

He then explained why Wilson may have felt threatened.

"She doesn't deserve to be condemned for it, because we know the climate we're living in, and we know the heightened level of sensitivity and how that may have played a role in what she may have assumed was happening."

Wilson is a four-time MVP and has won three WNBA titles, but the Fever made sure to limit her to just 11 shots in Game 2, with additional help to come from forwards Aliyah Boston and Myisha Hines-Allen. 

On Thursday in the Michelob ULTRA Arena, it will be up to Wilson to crack this code.

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Written by

Utsav Gupta

Edited by

Utsav Gupta