The Indiana Fever secured a narrow win against the Atlanta Dream, finishing 84-79 on Monday night, marking their 14th victory of the season—their highest total since 2016, which was also the last time they reached the playoffs.
The Dream (10-19) posed a significant challenge, as the Fever nearly squandered a 14-point lead, eventually allowing Atlanta to close the gap to just two points with three minutes remaining in the final quarter. However, a series of untimely fouls by the Dream helped the Fever maintain their lead in the closing moments.
Currently sitting at 14-16, the Fever hold the seventh position in the WNBA standings and remain in contention for the playoffs.
Notable highlights from the game include:
Caitlin Clark’s Quick Recovery from Ankle Injury
Fever rookie Caitlin Clark raised concern among fans when she rolled her ankle during the first quarter while battling for position with Nia Coffey. After a brief timeout for assessment by trainers, Clark remained on the bench momentarily to have her ankle taped but returned to play without any noticeable limp in the second quarter. Clark has experienced similar ankle issues before and maintained an upbeat perspective in the postgame interview, emphasizing that ankle injuries are common in basketball.
Lexie Hull Takes Over Starting Role in Second Half
Lexie Hull, who spent earlier parts of the season not playing, has now come into a significant role off the bench. In Monday’s game, she logged 30 minutes and contributed two points, four rebounds, and two assists. Hull has consistently played over 20 minutes in recent games, showcasing her defensive skills alongside emerging offensive capabilities. Conversely, Katie Lou Samuelson, who typically starts, has seen her playing time diminish, logging only seven minutes during this game and taking minimal shots.
Kelsey Mitchell’s Scoring Surge Continues
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell is on a scoring streak, averaging over 24 points per game since the Olympic break. In Monday’s matchup, she scored 29 points, including two free throws that secured the victory for the Fever in the final seconds. On the season, Mitchell has maintained a scoring average of 17.8 points per game, demonstrating her importance to the team’s offensive strategy.
Clark impressively tied the rookie record for 3-pointers made in a season, hitting four against the Dream to reach a total of 85, previously set by Rhyne Howard in 2022. Clark finished the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.