In a thrilling matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sept. 15, the Indiana Fever edged out the Dallas Wings 110-109, closing out their regular season home games with a victory.
Rookie guard Caitlin Clark led the Fever with a career-high 35 points, along with eight assists and two rebounds, making her mark in WNBA history by setting the rookie scoring record at 761 (and counting) points for the season.
“I was just excited to play,” Clark said following the game. “This was our final regular season game at home. It was on the weekend, and those games are just better … I think that brings confidence to you as a player.”
Kelsey Mitchell added to the Feverās scoring power, pouring in 30 points of her own and marking her second 30-point game of the year.
The Fever has amassed 20 wins, more than the previous two seasons combined. Fever head coach Christie Sides spoke about the victories.
“When I took the job, it was more of a four-year plan,” Sides said. “In year two, I would have never thought we would have picked up these 20 wins. I am so proud of our players.”
Mitchell, who has been with the franchise since 2018, has never experienced being a part of a 20-win team in the league.
Read More: Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces photos
“Aw man, it is a big deal,” Mitchell said. “I have never accomplished anything like that. I am excited about the 20 wins. I know where I started, and I know where we are now.”
The game was a fierce back-and-forth battle, especially in the third quarter, which saw the teams tied up seven times. Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale led her team with 27 points, while forward Satou Sabally, who matched Ogunbowale’s 27 points, nearly pushed the game into overtime with a last-second three-pointer. Indianaās Aliyah Boston, who had 15 points and six rebounds, sank two clutch free throws in the final moments to secure the victory.
Dallas Forward Natasha Howard also notched 26 points and 10 rebounds against the Fever.
“One thing about us, we are going to compete, no matter what,” Howard said. “We are going to fight until we can’t fight anymore.”
Read More: Clark sets assist record in Fever vs Wings matchup
Indianaās victory locked in their position as the No. 6 seed in the 2024 WNBA playoffs. They will face the Washington Mystics in their final regular season game before preparing to meet the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him at X @3Noral. For more Indiana Fever news from Noral, visit our archives.
The reels aligned perfectly, resulting in a fantastic win!