INDIANAPOLIS — Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points, Caitlin Clark had 20 points and 13 assists for her fifth straight double-double, and the Indiana Fever beat the undermanned Phoenix Mercury 95-86 on Friday night.
Kalia Copper scored 20 of her 36 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Mercury (12-11) cut a 31-point third-quarter deficit to single digits.
Mitchell’s basket gave Indiana (10-14) an 81-50 lead with 1:55 left in the third quarter, but the Mercury then added 17 points on a 3-pointer by Sophie Cunningham to pull within 81-67.
Copper made a shot in the lane with 5:02 left to put Phoenix up 85-76.
Clark recorded his franchise-record-tying 13th assist of the night when he drilled a 3-pointer on a cross-court pass to Mitchell with 1:33 left to extend the lead to 92-83.
Phoenix’s comeback came without center Brittney Griner, who collided with a teammate in the first half and was on the floor until a timeout was called.
The team announced that Griner will not return due to a right hip injury.
The Mercury were already without starters Diana Taurasi (leg) and Natasha Cloud (knee).
Copper scored 23 of his 36 points in the final 20 minutes.
Clark completed the double-double with a pass to Mitchell early in the third quarter for a 62-40 lead.
Clark also set a franchise record for assists in a single quarter with seven assists in the first quarter.
Aliyah Boston added 21 points and 13 rebounds and Nalyssa Smith added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana.
Cunningham added 21 points for Phoenix, which won its third straight game.
Clark made a 3-pointer with eight seconds left in the first half, and Indiana went on a 10-2 run to extend its lead to 55-35.
Mitchell had 17 points in the first half, Clark had 15 and Boston had 10.
