Fever snap losing streak with comeback victory over Mercury

The Indiana Fever halted a two-game losing streak on Monday night, securing an 86-77 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in a contest defined by tactical adjustments and physical intensity. The win improves Indiana’s record to 10-7, while Phoenix falls to 5-12. The match was marked by a high number of infractions, resulting in six technical fouls and the ejection of Phoenix’s Myisha Hines-Allen after her second technical foul.

Indiana began the game poorly, managing only six points in the first quarter. This total tied for the franchise’s lowest quarter output since 2018 and represented their fewest first-quarter points since 2016. The deficit reached 13 points before the Fever mounted a significant offensive surge in the second quarter.

The Fever scored 35 points in the second period, the second-highest quarterly total for the team this season. This performance allowed Indiana to tie the game at 41-all at half-time. Caitlin Clark contributed 15 points during this critical second-quarter stretch, helping to stabilise the team’s position.

Clark finished the game with 24 points and nine assists, extending her record for the most consecutive 20-point, five-assist games in WNBA history to six. Kelsey Mitchell added 22 points, making 16 of Indiana’s 27 field goals, including six three-pointers. Monique Billings recorded her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Phoenix struggled to maintain momentum after the half, being outscored 30-11 in the third quarter. Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 20 points, while Alyssa Thomas recorded 19 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. Thomas became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 assists with a franchise, surpassing Clark in four fewer games, and moved to 13th on the career steals list. Aliyah Boston was held to eight points on 2-of-9 shooting for Indiana.

The Fever will host the Mercury again on Wednesday for a rematch.