What the Indiana Fever accomplished for the first time this season
PHOENIX (WISH) — The Indiana Fever are back on the winning track after beating the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday afternoon 88-82.
The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Fever.
It was the Fever’s first regular season win over a team above .500. The Mercury entered the game with a 9-8 overall record.
Indiana trailed by as many as 15 points in the game.
Forward Aliyah Boston led the way for the Fever with a team-high 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Guard Kelsey Mitchell finished with 16 points.
Rookie guard Caitlin Clark had 15 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds. She was just one rebound shy of becoming the first-ever WNBA rookie to have a triple-double.
Clark’s performance also helped her set the franchise rookie-record for most assists in a debut season. She has 138 assists on the year, which is ten more than the previous record holder, Julie Allemand, who had 128 assists during the 2020 season.
Forward Nalyssa Smith added 12 points and 15 rebounds for Indiana.
“When the challenges came tonight, we stepped up and we attacked them head on,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said. “Couldn’t be more proud of my entire team.”
Center Temi Fagbenle added 10 points off the bench for the Fever in her second game back since suffering a left foot injury. Boston said after the game that Fagbenle “came in and dominated.”
“Temi is strong,” Boston said. “She comes in every, single day no matter what.”
Phoenix was led by center Brittney Griner, who had a game-high 24 points, along with 6 rebounds.
It was the fourth straight road game for the Fever.
With the win, Indiana improves to 8-12 this season. The Fever is currently in eighth place in the WNBA standings, which would earn them a playoff spot if the season ended today.
Indiana is back in action on Tuesday, July 2 in Las Vegas against the Aces. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. EDT.