SUDUTBOGOR – Kelsey Mitchell led the Indiana Fever to a narrow 92-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night. Mitchell scored 29 points, including a crucial layup with 10.1 seconds remaining. This win improves the Fever’s record to 13-9. The Mercury now stand at 8-15 after a competitive contest.
This game followed two contentious matchups in Indianapolis last month. However, this encounter emphasized basketball skill over previous physical altercations. The teams traded baskets instead of bumps and barbs. Notably, Caitlin Clark did not play for the Fever. She rested a lingering back injury, missing her first chance to play against the Mercury since a controversial incident with Alyssa Thomas in June. That event led to a one-game suspension for Thomas and widespread public discussion.
Intense Battle Unfolds
Aliyah Boston was a significant contributor for the Fever, scoring 21 points. She returned after being held out of a recent 106-92 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. For the Mercury, both Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper delivered strong performances. Each player scored 22 points to lead their team’s offense. The game’s intensity was evident from start to finish.
Indiana commenced the game with strong shooting. They made 6 of 10 attempts from three-point range in the first quarter, taking an early four-point lead. Phoenix responded powerfully in the second quarter. They shot 21 of 38 overall and 8 of 14 from beyond the arc. This impressive run gave the Mercury a 53-47 advantage at halftime. A team spokesperson remarked, “Our objective was to remain focused on the game. We wanted to execute our strategy effectively and move past any previous distractions.”
The Mercury extended their lead to ten points early in the third quarter. However, Indiana quickly countered with a decisive 13-0 run. This surge put the Fever ahead 62-59. The fourth quarter saw continued back-and-forth action. Sophie Cunningham, formerly with Phoenix, secured the win for Indiana. She made two vital free throws after Mitchell’s go-ahead layup, cementing the Fever’s narrow victory.
