Fever Navigating Injuries, Suspensions, and Heated Rivalries
The Indiana Fever have experienced a series of wins and losses in recent games, while dealing with player injuries and league disciplinary actions. The team has split its results, with notable performances from guard Caitlin Clark, who has also been the subject of controversial foul calls and a subsequent league suspension of an opposing player. Additionally, the team has faced potential fines for untimely injury reporting.
Recent Game Results
Loss to Washington Mystics (104-102 in Overtime)
The Indiana Fever lost to the Washington Mystics 104-102 in overtime on Friday, June 24. Caitlin Clark scored a game-high 32 points, including 17 points in the fourth quarter. She made five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, including a game-tying shot with 3.1 seconds left to force overtime.
The Mystics outscored the Fever 58-28 in the paint and shot 56% from the field. Clark and coach Stephanie White cited defensive issues as a key factor in the loss. The Fever have allowed 100+ points in both of their losses this season.
For the Mystics, Sonia Citron scored 30 points, Kiki Iriafen recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds, Shakira Austin scored 19 points, and Cotie McMahon added 13 points. For the Fever, Kelsey Mitchell added 24 points, and Aliyah Boston scored nine points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a lower leg injury. Indiana made 17 three-pointers on 42 attempts but was outscored 48-28 in the paint.
Loss to Dallas Wings (107-104) in Season Opener
The Dallas Wings defeated the Indiana Fever 107-104 in the WNBA season opener on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This game was the first in WNBA history where both teams scored more than 100 points.
Caitlin Clark scored 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting, with 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 turnovers. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 30 points, and Aliyah Boston added 23 points. For the Wings, Arike Ogunbowale scored 22 points, Paige Bueckers scored 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Odyssey Sims scored 20 points.
Dallas led by 9 at halftime, and the game was tied at 80 entering the fourth quarter. The teams exchanged leads 11 times. Dallas shot 52% from three-point range (12 of 23) and outscored Indiana 25-12 in transition. With seven seconds remaining and the Fever trailing by three, Clark missed a three-pointer, and after Paige Bueckers missed two free throws, Mitchell also missed a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer. The WNBA's new emphasis on freedom of movement resulted in 53 total fouls (28 on Wings, 25 on Fever).
Win Over Atlanta Dream (83-71)
The Indiana Fever won 83-71 against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday, opening the WNBA Commissioner's Cup tournament. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting, joining the WNBA's 5,000-point club. Aliyah Boston contributed 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Caitlin Clark recorded 17 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds.
For the Dream, Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada each scored 13 points, Naz Hillmon scored 12 points, and Angel Reese recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Fever's defense held Atlanta to a season-low 71 points. Atlanta rallied from a 38-29 halftime deficit to take a 43-42 lead with 6:15 left in the third quarter. After a timeout, Boston's block led to a basket, Clark made a three-pointer, and Mitchell started an 11-point run, extending the lead to 58-43.
Win Over Connecticut Sun (123-88)
The Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun 123-88 at home on Wednesday night, marking their third straight win and improving their record to 17-10. During the game, Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Sun guard Saniya Rivers each received a technical foul after a verbal exchange. Clark stated she told Rivers to "look at the scoreboard" after Rivers said she was "locking me up." This was Clark's seventh technical foul of the season. Accumulating eight technicals results in an automatic one-game suspension.
Loss to Phoenix Mercury (111-109)
The Indiana Fever lost to the Phoenix Mercury 111-109 on Wednesday night.
Win Over Portland Fire (90-73)
The Indiana Fever won 90-73 against the Portland Fire on Wednesday night. Aliyah Boston scored 24 points and had 8 rebounds.
Loss to Golden State Valkyries (90-88)
The Indiana Fever lost to the Golden State Valkyries 90-88 on Thursday night. Caitlin Clark recorded 16 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals in 29 minutes. She shot 3-of-12 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range and made all eight free-throw attempts. Clark reached her 500th career assist in the second quarter, becoming the fastest player to achieve that milestone in WNBA history.
Golden State led 14-7 after the first quarter; Indiana outscored Golden State 30-23 in the second quarter to tie the game 44-44 at halftime. Indiana led 67-65 after the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Golden State took an 89-84 lead with 30 seconds left. Indiana responded with a 4-1 run to make it 90-88. Aliyah Boston missed a short shot with three seconds remaining, preventing overtime.
Player Health and Injury Incidents
Caitlin Clark Back Injury and Absence
Caitlin Clark did not play in Wednesday's game against the Portland Fire due to back stiffness. The Fever won 90-73. The Fever initially listed "no injuries" in their status report after Tuesday's practice. Clark was ruled out at 5:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday for the 7 p.m. game.
Head coach Stephanie White stated Clark experienced back stiffness and did not practice Tuesday, but the team did not report the injury earlier. WNBA rules require teams to designate a player's participation status and identify an injury by 5 p.m. local time the day before a game (except for back-to-backs). The delay may constitute a violation, and the league is expected to investigate.
Coach White said holding Clark out was "absolutely not" part of season-long management, adding: "She's healthy. We're not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready."
"She's healthy. We're not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready."
— Coach Stephanie White
Clark also exited a game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night in the third quarter due to a back injury. She finished with 19 points and 8 assists in 20 minutes, ending her streak of 20-point, five-assist games at six. White said the team would be "careful" with Clark due to the long season, and no update on her status was provided after the game. Clark has been listed as day-to-day. Clark previously missed a game on May 20 due to back problems. Coach White announced on Friday that Clark is ruled out of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Alyssa Thomas Suspension for Contact with Caitlin Clark
The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game after she made contact with her fist to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark's throat during a game on Wednesday night. The contact occurred with 6 minutes and 52 seconds left in the second quarter and was deemed a non-basketball act. The league classified the incident as a Flagrant Foul 2, though no foul was called by officials during the game. Thomas will serve her suspension on Saturday when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.
Fever coach Stephanie White criticized the lack of a call during the game, describing the contact as egregious and stating that officials told her at halftime they did not see the contact. White also said Clark is not officiated consistently compared to other players and that the uncalled hits were "absolutely unacceptable."
"Player safety should be paramount in our league. We appreciate the WNBA's review of last night's incident and the action taken."
— Fever President Kelly Krauskopf
Fever President Kelly Krauskopf stated: "Player safety should be paramount in our league. We appreciate the WNBA's review of last night's incident and the action taken. Right now, our focus is on Caitlin and our entire team as we prepare for Saturday."
Reactions from Thomas's teammates and coach included:
- Mercury player Natasha Mack posted on Threads: "It's FREE AT until AT FREE!! standing with my bestie."
- Mercury Associate Head Coach Kristi Toliver posted on Instagram Story a photo of herself and Thomas with the caption: "When they go low, we go high - Michelle Obama."
- Dallas Wings forward DiJonai Carrington, a former teammate of Thomas, reposted on X a clip of the incident and questioned why a similar suspension was not issued for a separate incident involving Sophie Cunningham.
Technical Fouls and League Review
Technical Foul Appeal and Fine
The WNBA is reviewing an appeal from the Indiana Fever to rescind a technical foul called on Caitlin Clark during the Fever's win over the Phoenix Mercury on Monday. The league initially stated the technical was not rescinded but later clarified that the review process was ongoing after the Fever submitted additional information on Wednesday.
Clark received the technical foul following an altercation with Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner. After fouling Bonner, the two exchanged words and were separated by teammates and officials. Clark then clapped toward Phoenix players, which officials deemed as instigating. Clark criticized the technical, calling it "ridiculous" and specifically referencing referee Gerda Gatling, who said the technical was for clapping and instigating.
The WNBA upheld the technical foul and issued a $1,000 fine to Clark. The league has rescinded similar technicals in the past, including one for Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers earlier in 2025 and one for Angel Reese in 2024.
Clark now has seven technical fouls for the season. Players are automatically suspended for one game upon receiving eight technical fouls. Clark is now tied with Reese for the most technical fouls in the league.
Five players received technical fouls during the incident: Clark, Bonner, Mercury's Alyssa Thomas, and Fever reserves Sophie Cunningham and Myisha Hines-Allen. Hines-Allen received a second technical and was ejected.
Fever coach Stephanie White defended Clark's passionate play but emphasized the need for awareness. On managing Clark's technicals, White stated:
"Anybody who thinks that I have a plan to be strategic about technical fouls is crazy. ... She just has to pick and choose."
Clark stated: "I'm never going to back down. I think just continue to try to control your emotions the best you can. That intensity and that fire is what makes me me."