Sophie Cunningham sends a message to A'ja Wilson and reveals the Indiana Fever's plan to beat the Aces

Sophie Cunningham is sending a clear message ahead of the Indiana Fever's WNBA playoff rematch with the Las Vegas Aces: the team doesn't need to reinvent itself to compete with one of the league's most experienced postseason teams.

Speaking on her No Hesitation podcast, Cunningham explained that Indiana can keep its core system while changing how certain sets develop.

“Let’s change up how we run two of our sets so we can get not our first set action but we’re really looking for the second and third, like you can manipulate how they’re playing us,” said Cunningham .

“I think the W season… it’s also a very short season, and you don’t have time to mess around, and that’s why these playoff standings, we could be anywhere from four all the way to eight, right? So you got to approach pretty much every game and you want to win.

There’s reason for the Fever to trust that approach. Indiana finished sixth at 28-16, while Las Vegas secured the No. 3 seed at 31-13.

Yet the Fever won two of their three regular-season meetings, defeating the Aces 84-68 on July 5 before producing an even more emphatic 109-75 victory on July 12. Las Vegas responded with an 86-84 overtime win on Aug. 6.

That final meeting also showed how difficult Indiana can make things for the Aces. The Fever held a 20-point lead during the game, while Chelsea Gray delivered two crucial buzzer-beaters, including the shot that forced overtime and another that ultimately decided the contest.

Cunningham's message comes with important questions

Indiana's biggest concern entering the series could be the status of Aliyah Boston . The All-Star forward left the regular-season finale against Minnesota after a flare-up of a previous lower-leg injury.

Head coach Stephanie White described the move as precautionary, but Boston's availability is still an important storyline. She averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds this season and remains central to Indiana's interior defense.

The Fever's offense, meanwhile, gives them a significant source of pressure. Indiana averaged a league-record 96.0 points per game, with Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell providing much of the team's perimeter scoring. That outside-oriented attack can force Las Vegas to defend across the floor and create opportunities for Indiana's other players.

On the opposite end, the Aces have A'ja Wilson , whose scoring and defensive presence makes her a constant focal point. Indiana will need to find ways to limit her influence without allowing the rest of Las Vegas' veteran lineup to take over.

The teams also know each other well from last year's postseason, when Las Vegas defeated Indiana 3-2 in the semifinals.

The Fever played that series without Clark , while Kelsey Mitchell carried a heavier offensive burden. Indiana did, however, show that Boston could make life difficult for Wilson defensively.

Game 1 is scheduled for Sept. 27 in Las Vegas. Cunningham's comments suggest the Fever aren't searching for a completely different identity. Instead, they'll look to change the details, vary their actions and make the Aces respond to them possession after possession.