The Indiana Fever faced the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night at the Target Center, suffering a 90-80 defeat that ended their two-game winning streak. With this victory, the Lynx secured a playoff spot, while the Fever fell to a 13-16 record and remained in seventh place in the WNBA standings, above the Sky, who sit at 11-17.
Lynx star Napheesa Collier, a candidate for the MVP title, had a significant impact on the game, scoring 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting despite being in her third game within a week. In contrast, during their last meeting at the Target Center, the Fever had an impressive victory while Collier was sidelined due to a foot injury. This time, Collier’s strong performance overwhelmed the Fever’s defense, which struggled to contain her.
Temi Fagbenle made her return to the Fever lineup after battling injuries that had sidelined her for most of the season. Despite sporting a thumb wrap, Fagbenle contributed defensively and helped the Fever recover from an early 12-point deficit, finishing the game with five rebounds and two points in 16 minutes of play.
Lexie Hull also saw an increase in her minutes, playing 25 as she shifted to the three position. Known for her defensive prowess, Hull recently showcased her offensive skills, recording a career-high 22 points in a previous game. In Saturday’s matchup, she took on the challenge of guarding key players like Collier and Kayla McBride.
Caitlin Clark continued to shine, making history as the fastest player and first rookie in WNBA history to surpass 500 points and 200 assists. She concluded the game with 23 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and seven turnovers.