Fever’s Playoff Hopes Dim as Aces Advance
The Fever’s journey relied heavily on the duo of Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark this season. They had arguably one of the best seasons ever for a backcourt, pushing the team quite far in the process.
However, when they had the chance to make a statement on Thursday, that momentum faded.
For the second consecutive year, Indiana’s season concluded in a critical game in Las Vegas, where the Aces emerged victorious with a score of 94-83. On this challenging night, Mitchell and Clark together netted 41 points, but their shooting was off, achieving only 13 out of 41 attempts from the field and just 6 of 23 from beyond the arc.
“I felt like our offense became a bit stagnant in the second half,” Clark reflected. “We found ourselves taking too many contested shots as the shot clock wound down. You’ve got to hand it to the Aces, they were ready and played exceptionally well. That’s what champions do.”
“They made it tough for us, but we’ve hit those shots throughout the season,” she added.
Initially, they began strong, with Indiana quickly building an eight-point lead in the first quarter. During the first 8:10 of the game, Clark racked up 11 points while Mitchell added seven, giving Indiana a four-point advantage.
But then, things took a turn. Over the next 32 minutes, the duo managed just six more baskets. Clark struggled, going 2 for 12, missing all her three-point attempts and committing five turnovers. Although Mitchell managed to score eight points in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough as the Fever fell short after shooting only 4 for 18 in that stretch.
“We missed several shots we usually make,” head coach Stephanie White commented about their offensive difficulties. “There was more physicality, and we couldn’t easily get to the basket. They upped their intensity, and it’s a game of margins.”
With their main scorers struggling, Indiana looked to other players to stay competitive. Aliyah Boston stepped up, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds despite some challenges.
Myisha Hines-Allen also contributed significantly from the bench, adding 12 points and 12 rebounds, with her best moments coming during the second quarter when she helped tie the game and forced a timeout with a series of layups.
However, no other Fever player scored more than five points. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson showcased her MVP-worthy skills as Indiana fought to keep pace with the Aces.
Unfortunately, solutions on offense were elusive. Indiana struggled in the fourth quarter, making just 6 of 20 shots and 3 of 11 from three-point range. Beyond their big three and Hines-Allen, scoring was sparse.
The final moments saw the Fever hoping for a late surge from either Clark or Mitchell, but both were unable to find their rhythm as the clock ran down.
“I always believe that shooters shoot,” White remarked when discussing her backcourt’s performance. “We focus on providing high-quality shot opportunities. Both players are incredibly talented shot makers.”
“We need to find better ways to create those quality chances when things aren’t flowing. But honestly, I always think their next shot is going in. They made it hard for us, which is what championship teams do.”
This loss leaves the Fever heading home after yet another season-ending game in Las Vegas. Like most playoff departures, it leaves a bittersweet feeling—perhaps a little more so for Clark, who might even have a minor injury after taking a hit in the fourth quarter, especially after what had been a remarkable regular season.
“I’m proud of this team,” Clark shared. “We’ve faced a lot of challenges and dealt with a lot of scrutiny on our performance. There have been some great moments and some tough ones where we might feel we let chances slip away. That’s part that stings a little.”
“We had plenty of good wins, and it’s rare for Kels and me to shoot this poorly in a game together. It’s hard to swallow, but there are still a lot of accomplishments to celebrate.”
