The high-energy and storming bass of rapper Waka Flocka Flame’s “Grove Street Party” as Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark hit the hardwood in a sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse alludes to what is coming over the next few months.
The Indiana Fever secured their first win of the regular season against the Chicago Sky on May 17 in downtown Indianapolis in their home opener.
The Fever, which was completely overhauled during the off-season, seemingly found their chemistry early, racking up nearly 20 assists as a team, securing 19 dimes.
Moreover, Fever head coach Stephanie White, often regarded for her defensive prowess, lived up to the reputation as her team notched double-digit steals and forced multiple turnovers.
Indiana held the Sky to 29% shooting from the field while leading by as much as 13 points over the first two quarters.
The starting five for the Fever of Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston is only one of two teams with five WNBA all-stars.
It was on display in the Fever home opener.
Four of those starters finished the game with double-digit points.
Clark finished the contest with 20 points, ten assists and ten rebounds, securing her first triple double of the season. She also notched four three-pointers, including a buzzer-beating three to secure a 45-32 lead at halftime.
The fieldhouse roof seemingly blew open with every three-pointer the Fever drained.
Boston picked up where she left off last season, showcasing all-star level play with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Bonner became the third-leading scorer in WNBA history late in the fourth quarter.
Sky forward Angel Reese, who’s been wrongfully villainized since entering the league in 2024, showed promise with a 12 points and 17 rebound double-douhle performance.
The Chicago forward was also on the receiving end of a stiff foul from Clark in the third quarter, with the entire ordeal sending the fieldhouse into a frenzy.
which was upgraded to a flagrant foul 1 following review.
Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, who was Boston’s teammate during their national championship run with the University of Southern Carolina, finished the contest with seven points and seven rebounds.
The Fever’s next game is against the Atlanta Dream, happening May 22 in Indianapolis. The contest airs on WTHR Channel 13.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. For more Indiana Fever news from the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
