The Indiana Fever delivered a strong performance on Friday night in their first game after the All-Star break. Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark were the stars of the show, combining for an impressive 57 points. Their efforts were instrumental in securing a significant victory over Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury.
Mitchell contributed 28 points to the Fever’s win, while Clark recorded a double-double with 29 points and 10 assists. After the game, Mitchell discussed her connection with Clark and why their partnership on the court is so effective. “Basketball is a language,” Mitchell explained. “Me and [Caitlin Clark] like to play a certain way, and that’s fast and up-tempo.”
This quick-paced style of play gave the Fever a substantial advantage early in the game. Taking full advantage of a weary Mercury team, Clark and Mitchell led a first-half charge that saw the Fever extend their lead to as much as 28 points. Clark maintained the offensive tempo, with Mitchell closely following her lead.
Despite the Fever’s dominant start, the Mercury were determined not to go down easily. Team USA’s Kahleah Copper led Phoenix’s comeback effort with a standout performance, scoring 32 points. The game turned physical, with tensions boiling over into a scuffle between Mitchell and Mercury guard Natasha Cloud in what became a fiercely contested match.
However, the Fever regained control in the fourth quarter, establishing a double-digit lead they would not relinquish. This victory strengthens their position in the playoff race as they aim for a higher seed in the postseason.
