This past week of Indiana Fever basketball was nothing short of thrilling. In all three games, the Fever either came back themselves or saw a comeback brewing on the other end.
Caitlin Clark headlined throughout the week once again, stretching her double-double consecutive streak to five games up until Sunday. Despite the loss, Clark also had arguably the best game she has had as a professional against the Washington Mystics. Headed into the All-Star and Olympic break, she led the team to back-to-back wins to put good spirits in Indiana. Even in games where she struggled to knock down shots, she ensured that her teammates were getting on the scoreboard instead, resulting in wins.
Indiana lost 10 of its first 13 games but now has won eight of 12 since and won back-to-back games and three of its past four. With their current position at third in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Fever are starting to see a glimmer of hope at the end of what began as a challenging season.
July 10: Washington Mystics at Indiana
89-84 Mystics
Washington led 76-55 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Fever rallied as Clark dropped 15 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a comeback. In the game, Clark finished with 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five 3-pointers, five steals and three blocks. The stuffed statline was the first done by any WNBA player.
Clark ended a 14-0 run with a free throw to put Indiana within three points with just 1:05 left. But the game was controlled by Ariel Atkins from Washington. Atkins scored 26 points, including the game-sealing basket in the lane. While Clark made a pair of free throws, there was a jump ball that Atkins was able to grab to lead to Julie Vanloo knocking down free throws for a five-point lead.
Despite the impressive comeback by the Fever, the squad should have won the game relatively easily. However, it was hard for Indiana to do so when the Mystics players were on fire all game. Stefanie Dolson and Vanloo each scored 13 points. Aaliyah Edwards contributed 12 points, while Myisha Hines-Allen dropped 10. Despite the Mystics being without three of their top players in the rotation, players stepped up to put buckets on the board.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 15 points for Indiana, and NaLyssa Smith scored 11. Lexie Hull made her first start this season and finished with five points in 20 minutes on the floor.
July 13: Phoenix Mercury at Indiana
95-86 Fever
In a much-needed comeback game, the Fever came out strong. Mitchell led the team with 28 points, Clark had 20 points and 13 assists for her fifth straight double-double, and Aliyah Boston had 21 points and 13 rebounds along with Smith’s 14 points and 10 rebounds.
While the Mercury were short handed, Kahleah Copper of Phoenix still dropped 36 points with 20 being in the fourth quarter. Indiana had a 31-point lead with 1:55 left in the third quarter. That was until the Mercury scored the next 17 to get with 81-67 on a big 3-pointer by Sophie Cunningham. Then with 5:02 left Phoenix cut the lead to 11. Cunningham ended the game with 21 points.
In the first half Brittney Griner collided with a teammate which resulted in her missing the rest of the game due to a right hip injury. Natasha Cloud was out due to her knee and Diana Taurasi was on the bench with a leg injury.
Clark had already secured the double-double early in the third on a pass, she also set a franchise record for assists in a quarter when she had seven in the first quarter.
The Fever snapped the Mercury’s three-game win streak with a big bounceback win.
July 14: Indiana at Minnesota Lynx
81-74 Fever
Clark did not record her best three quarters in the beginning of Sunday’s game, but in the fourth quarter she showed up when the Fever needed her most. Indiana outscored Minnesota 28-14 in the fourth behind Clarks stellar offensive display.
Mitchell scored 21 points while Boston and Clark finished with 17 each. Smith added 11 points as well in the win.
Boston had a career best day on the boards, grabbing 16 rebounds while blocking four shots. At the end of the first half she already had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Last year's Rookie of the Year was crashing the boards and knocking down shots in the paint.
Throughout the game the two teams continued to go lead after lead with one another as it was tied at half. But the Lynx still seemed consistent to have the game in their hands up until the fourth quarter.
With two minutes left in the game Clark set up Boston for a layup before Katie Lou Samuelson assisted Boston for another basket in the paint to give Indiana a four-point lead. But Kayla McBride from Minnesota cut the lead with a 3-pointer only eight seconds later. Clark was then fouled where she made both free throws to make it a three-point game again. Mitchell then was fouled with 22 seconds left to leave the Fever had a five-point game. Clark sealed the game with two foul shots to cap the scoring with 16 seconds left.
It was the interior defense where the Fever thrived, attempting to block almost every shot and showing teamwork through communication. Headed into the game the Lynx were the most efficient defense across the WNBA but in the game the Fever showed otherwise with their defense. While Indiana struggled still with turnovers and miscommunication, when it came down to the final minutes they showed up and stood their ground.
For Minnesota Alanna Smith had 19 points, eight rebounds and four steals while in foul trouble. Bridget Carleton tied her career high with five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. The Lynx were down their best player in Napheesa Collier with a foot injury.
The Fever now will travel to Dallas to play the Wings on Wednesday in the final game before the WNBA All-Star/Olympic break.
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