I Went Back to the WNBA… This Time Was VERY Different | Riley’s Vlog
Riley Gaines and Louis Barker reflect on their experience at the Indiana Fever game, highlighting the impressive performances of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. The vibe in the arena was notably different from Riley’s previous visit to a WNBA game in Minneapolis. Riley shares her thoughts on the ongoing discussions surrounding Simone Biles, Sophie Cunningham, and Michael Buckley, as well as the delicate balance the league has to maintain when it comes to women’s sports. Additionally, the duo chats about the challenges of traveling with an 11-month-old and the significance of seeing Brittney Griner in action. They also comment on how sports can unite people across political divides. Don’t miss their upcoming episode for an Ask Me Anything format!
Kelsey Mitchell’s 33-point performance on Friday night marked another milestone in her record-breaking season, as she led the Indiana Fever to a 103-85 win over the Toronto Tempo. With this latest achievement, Mitchell now has a total of 1,034 points for the season, surpassing the previous record set by A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces in 2024, who scored 1,021 points.
Teammate Caitlin Clark contributed 28 points and matched her season-high with 14 assists in the game. This victory marked Indiana’s eighth win in the last ten matches. Notably, Mitchell has now scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive games, extending her WNBA record. She shot impressively, hitting 12 of 17 from the field and 7 of 11 from beyond the arc.
In terms of team dynamics, Toronto’s Laura Juskaite scored 22 points, while Kiki Rice added 18. Isabelle Harrison and Temi Fagbenie also chipped in with 16 points apiece, but unfortunately, the Tempo faced their fifth straight loss. After starting the season with a balanced 9-9 record, they have struggled, posting a discouraging 2-21 since then.
The Tempo, unfortunately, played without veteran guard Marina Mabrey, who was announced to miss the last four games of the season due to an injury sustained during a previous match against Indiana. Mabrey has not played since then.
The Fever will return to their home court next to host the Washington Mystics, while the Tempo is set to take on the New York Liberty in their upcoming game. As the season progresses, it’s worth noting that the Tempo has already been ruled out of playoff contention, whereas Indiana has secured a playoff spot, even tying with the Atlanta Dream for the top position in the Eastern Conference.
