LOS ANGELES — The Indiana Fever picked up their first win of the season Wednesday night, coming away from their one-game West Coast road trip with a 87-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.
Caitlin Clark led the Fever with 24 points, while Kelsey Mitchell followed with 23. Aliyah Boston, who fouled out with three minutes left in the game, had an uncharacteristic four points in 16 minutes.
The Fever are now 1-1 and have a quick turnaround to play the Washington Mystics on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Here’s what I liked and disliked, and what the Fever’s win means.
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What I liked in the Indiana Fever’s win over Los Angeles Sparks
- Monique Billings’ debut: After an ankle injury on May 2 in the Indiana’s preseason finale, Billings made her Fever debut in her hometown. And even on a minutes restriction, Billings showcased the athleticism she can bring to the Fever frontcourt. Her pesky defense at the beginning of the third quarter forced a turnover, she’s a ferocious rebounder, and she can take up space in the paint. She finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds.
- Caitlin Clark’s playmaking: This one, really, could be copy and paste for every game. Clark racked up seven assists in the first half with multiple highlight-worthy plays, including a pass out of the paint for a Sophie Cunningham 3-pointer, and a bounce-pass assist as Cunningham was cutting down the baseline for an easy layup.
- Improved defense: Fever coach Steph White said this week that she expects to win a game if the Fever score 104 points, and that didn’t happen in the season opener. Indiana took that to heart Wednesday. Indiana allowed just 52 points through three quarters after allowing 60 in a half Saturday, then forced 19 turnovers throughout the entire game.
What I disliked in the Indiana Fever’s win over Los Angeles Sparks
- Aliyah Boston’s touches: Boston is still coming back from the lower leg injury she suffered in Unrivaled in February, so White said she’s on a minutes restriction of 25 to 30 minutes. Boston ended up fouling out after playing about 22 minutes, and seemed very uninvolved in the Fever’s offensive scheme. Coming off a 23-point performance (while on a minutes restriction) Saturday, Boston had just four points that all came from free throws. With Cameron Brink, Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby on defense, the Fever couldn’t find ways to get her open in her minutes.
What the Indiana Fever’s win over Los Angeles Sparks means
Whether the season-opening defense was a blip or not, the Fever showed what they can do when they really buy into the defensive end of the floor. Indiana had kind of a sloppy game offensively, especially as they weren’t able to get Boston the touches she usually receives, but their defense held them through the game.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
