INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever suffered a tough 89-84 loss to the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite a spirited fourth-quarter comeback, the Fever fell short in the end.
Trailing by 21 points entering the final quarter, the Fever started strong with a 10-0 run. They eventually went on a 29-11 run to pull within three points of the Mystics at one point.
Ariel Atkins’ timely fadeaway, finishing with 26 points, gave the Mystics enough cushion to secure the win.
Caitlin Clark had an outstanding performance with 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five steals, three blocks, and five made 3-pointers.
Despite coming off a win against the league’s best team, the Fever couldn’t maintain the momentum and fell to one of the worst teams in the league.
Here are three key takeaways:
Turnovers plague the Fever
The Fever struggled with turnovers throughout the game, committing 20 turnovers resulting in 21 points for the Mystics.
The team couldn’t take care of the ball, leading to a deficit they couldn’t overcome.
Lexie Hull’s inconsistent performance led to lineup changes and defensive struggles for the Fever.
Lexie Hull’s role in the game
After starting the game and then being benched, Lexie Hull’s performance impacted the game’s flow and defensive effort for the Fever.
Her limited minutes and lack of stats contributed to defensive lapses that the team struggled to recover from.
Aliyah Boston’s foul trouble
Aliyah Boston’s foul trouble hindered the Fever’s offensive rhythm and forced adjustments in gameplay.
With Boston on the bench due to fouls, the team faced challenges in scoring and rebounding.
Boston’s return in the fourth quarter provided a boost, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.
Caitlin Clark’s stellar performance
Caitlin Clark shined with an impressive stat line, showcasing her scoring, playmaking, and defensive abilities.
Her standout performance was a bright spot amidst the Fever’s loss to the Mystics.
