The Indiana Fever achieved a .500 record for the first time since 2022 by defeating the Chicago Sky 100-81 on Friday night, solidifying their advantage in this developing rivalry with a 3-1 series lead.
The game featured intense physical play, with the Sky committing two flagrant fouls against Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Additionally, the absence of their top scorer Chennedy Carter hindered the Sky’s efforts, allowing Indiana to secure their largest victory margin of the season at 19 points. Clark led the Fever with 31 points and 12 assists, while Sky rookie Angel Reese recorded a double-double, contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite falling behind 21-9 early in the game, the Fever quickly turned things around with a 14-5 run, closing the gap by the end of the first quarter. Once they regained the lead in the second quarter, they maintained control throughout the match. Without Carter’s speed and scoring ability, the Fever capitalized on their perimeter shooting, finishing the game with a 13-of-29 success rate from beyond the arc, including a notable 5-of-9 from Clark.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Fever, who have struggled in recent seasons. They had not reached a .500 record since starting the 2022 season with a 2-2 record before losing five consecutive games. The Fever’s recent streak of 103 games under .500 highlights the significance of this recent accomplishment. They will have an opportunity to secure a winning record for the first time in four years when they face the Dallas Wings on Sunday.
Winning this game also has playoff implications for the Fever, as it gives them a crucial head-to-head advantage over the Sky in case of a tie at the end of the season. The Fever now hold the series wins against both the Sky and the Atlanta Dream, both of which are competing for the eighth playoff spot. Currently, the Fever and the Phoenix Mercury share a 16-16 record, placing Indiana in contention for the sixth playoff spot if the season were to conclude today.
Caitlin Clark finished the game with 31 points, shooting 8-of-14 overall and 5-of-9 from three-point range, in addition to providing 12 assists and securing four rebounds.