INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever dominated the WNBA restart, securing a 98-89 victory against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This win marks the Fever’s third triumph over the Mercury this season, completing a sweep in their matchups. With a record of 12-15, Indiana now sits seventh in the league standings.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with a season-high 28 points, while rookie Caitlin Clark contributed 29 points. Together, they were part of a group of four Fever players who scored in double digits.
The Fever capitalized on their advantage early in the game, exploiting the fact that most of their players stayed in the U.S. during the Olympic break, while the Mercury were impacted by four starters—Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Kahleah Copper, and Bec Allen—participating in the Olympics. Allen’s absence due to a hamstring injury further hindered Phoenix’s performance.
Indiana took command right away, jumping to a 22-9 lead in the first quarter, with Clark showcasing her scoring ability by netting 13 points early on. The Fever extended their lead to as much as 28 points during the first half, leading 48-20 in the second quarter.
However, the Mercury responded with a fierce 20-3 run, briefly taking the lead in the third quarter. Indiana had faced similar situations before, so they managed to maintain their composure.
A crucial moment came when Brittney Griner picked up her fifth foul with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Griner’s foul trouble limited her impact, and the Fever took advantage, strengthening their position on the boards and scoring easy layups. By halftime, Griner had played just nine minutes, and Indiana enjoyed a 24-18 rebounding edge.
Tensions escalated during the game, particularly between players from both teams. An exchange of words nearly led to an altercation between Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Cloud after Mitchell committed an offensive foul. After a review, referees assessed offsetting technical fouls, with Cloud’s total rising to six this season, just one away from a one-game suspension.
In her first game back after a month-long break, Caitlin Clark not only scored 29 points but also achieved a double-double with 10 assists and five rebounds.