The Indiana Fever secured their third consecutive win with an impressive 88-81 victory over the Washington Mystics on Wednesday night, continuing their remarkable turnaround from a challenging start to the season. Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell played pivotal roles in this success, showcasing their skills and resilience.
Strong Performances Lead to Victory
Caitlin Clark recorded her second double-double of the season, scoring 18 points, grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds, dishing out six assists, and making four steals. Despite six turnovers, her contribution was critical in securing the win. Clark’s performance came on the heels of another stellar game against the Chicago Sky, where she posted 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. She made history by becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to amass 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists over a two-game span, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Aliyah Boston also had a standout game, contributing 22 points and eight rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell matched Boston’s scoring with 22 points of her own. Their combined efforts kept the Fever ahead throughout the game. NaLyssa Smith added 11 points, and Erica Wheeler provided a crucial nine points off the bench, particularly in the second half.
Key Moments in the Game
Indiana led by as much as nine points going into the fourth quarter, but the Mystics, led by Ariel Atkins’ 27 points, staged a strong comeback attempt. Washington’s 9-2 run at the start of the final quarter brought them within two points of the Fever. However, Indiana quickly responded. Wheeler hit a jumper, Clark made a key steal leading to a layup by Mitchell, and Clark followed with a three-pointer off a Wheeler assist, pushing the lead back to 77-68 with just over five minutes remaining.
Wheeler’s pull-up jumper at the 3:25 mark extended Indiana’s lead to 82-71. Clark sealed the win with two free throws in the final seconds, ensuring the Fever never trailed during the game.
The Fever’s Impressive Turnaround
With this victory, the Fever improved their record to 6-10 and secured their first four-game home winning streak since August 2015. This win marks their third consecutive victory, a significant achievement given their 1-8 start to the season. The Fever have now won five of their last seven games, positioning themselves back into playoff contention.
Clark emphasized the importance of their recent success in building confidence and learning how to respond to setbacks. “The confidence that we’ve been able to build from the last three games is, you know, continue to take a step forward and learn each game, and if we do happen to lose one, how are we going to respond?” she said. “That’s been a big thing for us, too. The last game we lost, we found a way to respond and string off three straight wins. I think we’ve gotten a lot better over the course of these last three games and we’re continuing to build on that.”
Challenges for the Mystics
The Mystics, struggling with injuries to key players Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin, were unable to match the Fever’s intensity and execution. Karlie Samuelson and Stephanie Dolson tried to support Atkins’ efforts, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively. Despite their efforts, Washington could not overcome the Fever’s well-rounded team performance.
Looking Ahead
The Fever’s recent performances have given their fans hope and pundits reason to believe in a possible playoff push. While there is still a long way to go in the season, Indiana currently holds the No. 8 seed and appears to be finding their groove. Clark’s continued development, along with the strong performances of Boston and Mitchell, could make the Fever a formidable team as the season progresses.
Clark acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in reducing turnovers and improving her three-point shooting percentage. However, the team’s ability to play cohesively and capitalize on their strengths was evident in their victory over the Mystics.
The Fever’s turnaround story is a testament to their resilience and determination. As they continue to build on their recent successes, the Indiana Fever are showing that they have the potential to be a significant contender in the WNBA playoffs.
