Indiana

Fever

While Clark’s assist and steals numbers were solid in Tuesday’s victory, she continues to struggle from beyond the arc away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Missing all six of her attempts against the Storm, Clark is now 1-of-28 from three in road games this season. As a rookie, Caitlin shot 36.7 percent from three on the road and 32.3 percent in home games. Add in eight turnovers, and Tuesday was a night to forget for Clark outside of her team getting the victory. The good news is that Indiana’s road trip is finished, as they head home to host the Sparks on Thursday.

Having scored 20 points or more in three of her last five games, Mitchell was at her best on Tuesday. The Fever guard finished with season-highs in points and three-pointers, and the four assists were the most Kelsey’s recorded in a game since May 30 against Connecticut. Mitchell also moved up the WNBA’s all-time three-pointers list (regular season only), passing Kara Lawson to move into 12th place. And she’s now 22 away from Tamika Catchings’ franchise record for most regular-season triples in a career. Along with Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hill, Mitchell stepped up to help shoulder most of the scoring load for the Fever as they snapped a two-game losing streak.

On a night when Caitlin Clark’s road struggles continued, Boston stepped up with the most productive night of her WNBA career. Recording her second 30-point game, Tuesday’s victory was the first in which Boston surpassed that mark. Over her last two outings, the third-year forward/center has scored 57 points on 25-of-37 shooting from the field. Just as important as the points are the shot attempts. Before Sunday’s loss to the Aces, Boston had not attempted 18 shots or more in a game since May 24 against the Liberty. While Clark may receive the mainstream attention, the Fever are at their best offensively when there’s a concerted effort to get Boston the ball in spots where she’s most effective early and often. Tuesday night, Aliyah’s effectiveness opened things up for others, helping Indiana compensate for Clark’s limited scoring.

Mitchell’s early offensive success came when the Aces bench guards were on the floor. She was able to easily get downhill with Tiffany Mitchell guarding her and then scored in transition off two assists from back-up point guard Sydney Colson. Mitchell took more shots in the second half once the Aces’ defense zeroed in on the Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston pick-and-roll. Mitchell heated up in the fourth quarter, scoring half of her total points in the last frame, keeping the Fever in the game as the Aces mounted their comeback and then overtook the lead.

Early in the game the Aces put two players on the ball which forced Clark to pass out of each double. As a result, she found Aliyah Boston for eight of her 10 assists. Clark dealt with the physicality of Jackie Young and the length of A’ja Wilson all afternoon, and as a result Clark didn’t have an efficient afternoon scoring the basketball. Only one of her 10 three-point attempts dropped. Most of her made field goals came from drives downhill to the basket and even one-on-one looks rather than on screening actions.

Boston took advantage of the Aces’ hedges on Caitlin Clark early by rolling hard to the basket on the pick-and-roll. 80 percent of Clark’s total assists turned into Boston scores which resulted in 16 of her total 26 points. Boston accounted for over 60 percent of the Fever’s total scoring in the first quarter. The Aces had trouble stopping Boston, especially when A’ja Wilson was switched onto a guard. Also, Boston continues to prove how well she can facilitate especially down the stretch of games. She found Kelsey Mitchell for a wide open three that tied the game at 69 with a little over five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Guarded by Tiffany Hayes for most of Thursday’s defeat, Clark produced arguably her worst performance of the season to date. The Fever star missed all seven of her three-point attempts and was responsible for six turnovers. While there have been two games in which Clark exceeded that turnover count, her 11 points against the Valkyries were tied for a season-low. That said, there isn’t a need for fantasy managers to panic, as Clark is ranked third in fantasy points per game in ESPN leagues behind Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson. She’ll bounce back, potentially as soon as Sunday’s game against the Aces.

While Mitchell shot the ball well on Thursday, this was far from her cleanest performance. The veteran guard was responsible for four turnovers, with only Caitlin Clark (six) having more among Fever players. Mitchell did shoot 4-of-8 from the field in the second half, but a 1-of-5 night from deep left something to be desired among those who have her rostered in fantasy leagues. That said, Mitchell has scored 16 points or more in three straight and five of her last six, a stretch that includes two games with at least 22 points.

After scoring four points in Saturday’s win over the Liberty, Howard has tallied 29 on 11-of-19 shooting in her last two outings. Her performance against the Valkyries was one of the few positives for Indiana, which committed 16 turnovers on Thursday and was outscored by a 50-33 margin in the second half. Like frontcourt partner Aliyah Boston, Howard’s offensive impact was muted after halftime, contributing to the Fever losing a game it had led by as much as 13. Indiana ends its week with a game against the Aces on Sunday.

Thursday’s game was a tale of two halves for Boston. After a dominant first 20 minutes in which she accounted for 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots, the Fever forward/center was rendered ineffective in the second half. Boston attempted just three shots in the second half, which should not be the case for a player of her caliber. While Golden State undoubtedly deserves credit for its defensive adjustments, including making life difficult for the guards entrusted with getting Boston the basketball, Indiana has to be better offensively. Boston and the Fever will look to bounce back when they visit the Aces on Sunday.