Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun [FULL GAME] (08/28/2024) | WNBA Season 2024

to keep the good times rolling at home as they host chases on Debbie and this is a team that's really rounding into from game Bridge Fieldhouse as we take a look at the start well Connecticut has won the three matchups between these Austin and it's Brianna Jones in the center jump Circle we are not allowing Connecticut to get extra possessions in huge win on Monday to get closer to their playoff hopes na aiyah Boston making a nice feed away from the defense there's Ty Harris leaning in and drawing the foul got Caitlyn Clark behind her and Harris will go to the free throw line one of the things that Indiana has done really well is space around the nail which is in the middle of the floor that allows for cuts for pace and really good spacing you take away the help in that as well Ty Harris Indie native from nolesville played high school at Heritage Christian and there's the fever head coach Christy sides in her second season and after the fever got into that early one and eight hole he's helped dig the fever nearly all the way out of it Indiana comes into tonight at 14 and 16 they're just two games under 500 with 10 games to go in the regular season the fever currently sit in seventh top eight make the playoffs here's Caitlyn Clark wide open we the three ball shorts that's a really good job of putting Brion Jon Banna Jones in some ball screen action forcing that switch but she's the first down the floor after the Miss and they like to attack in the paint they are really strong downhill getting points inside here's Caitlyn Clark trying to pick up the pace Clark turns it over good defense there by D Carrington and it's a three-on-one Carrington flips it list to Thomas HS and draws a foul Advanced pass Jones runs hard Alyssa Thomas fills behind you know had a nice conversation with Alyssa Thomas today right after shoot around she's going into the Maryland Hall of Fame on October 8 I'm surprised he wasn't already in there that's what I was going to say but better better late than never three time ACC player of the year to go along with alliver accad here in the W and of course coming off the gold medal winning performance I said you're going to be around for La in 20 28 oh no not sure and put it past her as Clark turns it over there's three early turnovers for Indiana Harris left alone can't connect on a three ball he were struggling a bit out of the gates here keeping control of the ball and Alyssa Thomas lays it in Smith a little banged up here on the other end conate out to an early 8-2 lead from IND when they played in Atlanta they played ready to go from the jump they got a big lead couple of possession leads now they got to take care of the basketball because they've given Connecticut too many easy looks Beaver Never trailed on Monday night in Atlanta an early six-point hole from gainbridge Fieldhouse here's a leyah Boston's first touch backing her way in and Boston banks at home Aaliyah Boston punishes oneon-one Atlanta waited till late to bring two to the ball if she's going to go one1 in the post they're going to keep feeding her and she's going to attack any matchup that she has against Connecticut watch the patience and the Poise she's reading help there's no help coming she does a really good job of getting to the midline and then spinning back over that left shoulder Austin had her 11th double double of the season and Clark hits a three so maybe it was a good time out cu backto back buckets by the fever well -0 response for Indiana showing a lot more energy here as Carrington gets inside to step through shot won't fall and Carrington she was hit in the face there on that rebound you give Caitlyn Clark this much space she does such a great job of driving Carrington back and then pulling it back and knocking down a triple at her 86 three-pointer of the Year and that is a new rookie record Ryan and Howard held it she tied it in Atlanta and Caitlyn Clark scores 64% of her baskets unassisted that's an example of an unassisted basket she created off the dribble on her own Jones deep position maybe too far underneath and Pat just to finish that point that's the highest number in the WNBA so she leads the league in assist and she leads the league in unassisted baskets this time it's Clark off the dribble and she'll head to the free throw line Indiana with little hit of the reset button there a couple minutes in and the fever look a lot more effective vertical by Boston forcing Jones to Pivot to the other side of the rim good defensive discipline Inside by Aaliyah Boston Mark is the League's third best free throw shooter knocks down the first and there is the head coach for the Connecticut Sun of course has plenty of Indiana ties Stephanie white played a college ball at Purdue was a coach here for the Indiana Fever as an assistant and a head coach for a couple years I saw Stephanie earlier this morning at shoot around she said what are you doing before the game I said nothing I said what are you doing and she said I'm I'm bored would you come in the locker room and hang out I spent 20 minutes with her just hanging out talking Hoops with Steph yeah not going to turn down that invitation no way it was fun that Bon shot will not count it's a moving screen so a 70 response here for Indiana it all screen you you can't always blame the screener for that sometimes it's the ball handler doesn't wait oh look at that back door beautiful a beautiful setup and and one Pat you know you're going to get at least two or three of these buckets every game against Connecticut because they are going to be up the line which means they're over playing one pass away to the wing and when they jump into that passing Lane and they overplay you cut back door on a straight line and that's exactly what Kelsey Mitchell did beautiful well klin Clark labeled just that as maybe the biggest key here tonight that Connecticut loves to trap maybe more than any other team they're aggressive defensively along the perimeter at Minnesota on Saturday one Blitz of Caitlyn Clark after on an atto by Cheryl Reed team I didn't see any blitzes on Monday night against Atlanta most teams aren't bringing two to the ball to her anymore because she's gotten so good at handling and managing and making the right reads on a boner knocks down a tough shot on the other end here's Clark Boston extra pass Lexi hole barries a three that's why you have to mix up your ball screen coverages on Caitlyn Clark ay on the other end answers with a triple Lexi Hull here out of the Olympic break now 11 of 15 from the three-point line that's 73% but the fever give it away and Carrington with the finish and remember Clark leads the league in turnovers okay that pass is too long great anticipation and a terrific steal by Connecticut Clark launches and leaves a three ball short there's ho with the rebound H can't finish underneath Boston battling ho picks it up ball is still loose underneath and Alissa Thomas comes away with it back benley called for the foul see that's the kind of emotional play that gets Connecticut going if at gets two hands on it forget about it you're not taking it away this is just a great extra pass Boston catches it at the front of the rim and instead of shooting two she gets a higher percentage look outside maybe you consider it higher percentage but you got to find out if Lexi Hall has a hot hand cuz she's certainly had it since the break so Nelissa Smith back in after getting hit in the eye in the opening couple of minutes ma who came over at the Olympic break and Boston comes up with the steal that's Connecticut's fourth turnover Smith spin it on the Baseline and gets it to Goa Smith plays well Indiana has a really good chance moving forward into the playoffs she's such an important part of what they do offensively and here she is sneaking behind they got to call foul on that that's Alyssa Thomas's second so two early fouls on the MVP runner up a year [Applause] ago well if Melissa Smith doesn't catch that cuz that's a risky pass this foul doesn't happen cuz this ball leads her almost out of bounds off balance and because there was some contact there you have to blow the whistle Stephanie white riding with Thomas here with two fouls this Clark gets inside and lays it in so she get a defender on her hip she most likely is going to score get an n one she's gotten so much better at that early seven points here for Caitlyn Clark bonor canit over the three Mitchell does not have numbers trying to push it anyway through a double [Applause] team he's sizing up Ma Mitchell knocks it down there's just some energy about Kelsey Mitchell these days isn't there since the break she's been fantastic once again this fever offense after that slow start first couple of minutes right back into high gear just feel this build and come alive it was 82 when Christy SI called that timeout bar behind the back Boston right up the middle and it was blocked by danana Bonner oh what a play WoW last woman back as Carrington spins and feeds for Thomas so your conversion from offense to defense if you're the fever has to be better you know they're playing downhill and a back door pass another one as Clark connects with Kelsey Mitchell and she'll head to the free throw line it is definitely a frenetic Pace she's got Carrington on her hip gets to the front of the rim Kelsey Mitchell sizing it up maybe in good defensive position that's just better offense Clark said pregame this is what they want they want to play fast when Connecticut can slow you down get you into the half court they're the league second ranked defense and they hold opponents to just 73 points per game when Stephanie white gets her opposition into the half court they really lock in defensively in fact they held New York to just 64 points on Saturday in New York f with a 24 spot here still over 3 minutes left in the first quarter Connecticut goes to their horn set oh nice basket cut by maery she's excellent at reading she just passes it to the opposite elbow and cuts off the other [Applause] [Music] Smith had it knocked away right into the hands of Mitchell can't knock the three ball down but it's Tipp back out to Clark Boston taking it inside feed to Smith who buries a three not just the decision making of Clark how about Aaliyah Boston assists here in less than 8 minutes an average is three a game and that is a strong number for a center she is finding her teammates here tonight I just love the way Leo Boston is attacking inside but aware of the space around her Beyond The Ark it's the second time she's had it under the basket and kicked out to the corner for a three Lexi Hall hit one Melissa Smith hits one likely a brief rest here for Caitlyn Clark and now a word from Indiana workers.com injured at work for a free consultation call Indiana workers.com the work injury lawyers Indiana workers.com we go to work when you can't this game has the League's two leading assisters Caitlyn Clark is one Alyssa Thomas is two right now it's Aaliyah Boston Leading The Way with her four assists first quarter run here for Erica wheeler [Applause] with is cut off Boston into the corner Mitchell is open and flashes home a three she's still hot make that five [Applause] assist she is harnessed her inner Caitlyn Clark here tonight at Leah Boston as Bonner has a three ball Rim out the fever with a 30-point quarter and they were at two at the 750 Mark right they turned it over four times to start the game it was 8 to2 Christy sides called timeout and since then Indiana looks like they got their focus back oh dangerous pass inside Smith had it and lost it found its way to Carrington who lays it in and what should have been a turnover for Indiana instead is a three-point play for Connecticut and for the second time here in the first quarter Smith comes up in pain like she just ran into her own teammate there it's a bad break if you're Indiana you have a chance potentially at a fast break and instead Connecticut with an and one opportunity here for d j [Applause] Carrington I mean Connecticut is what I would label a team that has a bunch of hustlers right I mean they're going to work hard on every possession and when they can get the tempo here defensively where they need it office stops and being able to to keep Indiana in the quarter Court they have a better chance of locking down than letting them score in transition caring did could come up with the steal that time and found Lexi Hull see they'll gamble it's a high-risk defense see they put Indiana in the bonus with a minute 27 to play in the first quarter see hold getting her second start of the season 76% free throw shooter she had a couple really big plays late in that game on Monday in Atlanta you know when you go through the Indianapolis Airport the TSA messaging is all Lexi Hall keeping everybody safe before they fly I'm sure she imagined herself doing a lot of branding work a lot of voiceover work I'm not sure if she ever saw herself be in the fors of TSA she does a nice job though clear concise instructions it's really good here's Carrington spinning inside fading and drawing the foul on Melissa Smith Carrington who's been active here will go to the line every stoppage like this or every time someone goes to the free throw line I think that plays into Connecticut on the road right they're Indiana is more of a rhythm Pace speed team and Connecticut is more of a they want to grind it grind it grind it you know make it hard for you score the hottest tickets in basketball to see Caitlyn Clark Kelsey Mitchell aiyah Boston and the Indiana Fever against the spks on September 4th the links on September 6th the dream on September 8th you can get your tickets fever basketball.com weren't catching on there the fever have a long home stand here before the season comes to a close six straight games at home fever have played 17 of their 20 Road games already so they're in a good spot to make the playoffs and they're in this building plenty here down the stretch you don't usually see those two sit next to each other on the Indiana bench but wheeler hits a three Off the Bench it's contagious the fever have hit six in the first quarter that is now the most points that Connecticut has given up in a first quarter this year and they allowed just 73 a game drop that at least right now to a two-point shots boner losts the handle Stripped Away and shot clock violation see if we can spot if wheeler had her foot on the line just barely the fever still five of eight from the three-point line Indiana shooting 69% from the floor against one of the elite defenses Stephanie White's group for a two for one here with the fever [Applause] hurry and doas a little Twan game as doas gets inside but Le he it [Applause] shorts one possession here for Connecticut look for danana Bonner coming off some pin down action number 24 in [Applause] Orange Bonner setting the screen and hle knocks it away under 4 seconds left here in the [Applause] first this is Veronica Burton Off the Bench to inbound Conor has to hoist from away outside and that's off the mark and a terrific first quarter for the Indiana Fever in the books not out Kelsey Mitchell and Indiana wanted to start but they Clos the quarter with a flurry Ayah Boston she's already got five by Mitchell that's not by Design that's by good basketball chemistry and understanding different reads in the space on the floor Leah with five first quarter assists and Kelsey Mitchell already with 11 here as we start the second quarter of action dtis back for wheeler on the shot fake wheeler on the drive shot clock down to five wraparound pass and Boston the patience just couldn't get the finish I could had an early six-point lead in this one but the fever have responded emphatically theana is led by as many as nine Avery launches and misses on a three you got to keep your eye on Mary cuz she slices through to the Deep Corner then she lifts and that's where she gets a lot of her triples AR looking inside oh near impossible angle but still got it to Boston Mitchell kind of hanging out there in the paint right back for Boston who muscles it in when aiyah Boston catches it that deep it's really tough to defend her more points five assists here for Boston there is circling her way around sets up Olivia Nelson ododa who gets it to goal Olivia Nelson OD it's a really good job of keeping her dribble Alive by Tai Harris to be able to make a decision Mark the hesitation gets inside picks up her dribble here is Boston on the shot fake going right back at adota right hand hook shot won't [Applause] fallar is going behind the back and getting to the rim really nice move you get Caitlin Clark in transition and she's back pedaling T Harris makes an excellent read to attack off the dribble there's a fifth year Pro out of South Carolina Indiana gives it away those turnovers were problematic earlier this is just a really good read by Harris Caitlyn Clark doesn't want to foul there Harris with a strong take in transition see that's the danger of turning it over taking a bad shot you got to quickly convert to defense because Connecticut's coming at you their early offense is their best offense here's ma off the screen but but it was an illegal one as Briana Jones is called for the offensive foul that's her first so you have to adjust the officials are watching for this they called Jones for an illegal screen we saw that called quite a few times in Atlanta on Monday clar seea to and turning it over Jones there into the passing Lane ahead to Thomas who's so lethal in transition and Thomas got it to go when at is coming at you full speed downhill no one's taking a charge on [Music] that Arkin wheeler sharing the floor here early second quarter wheeler steps into a three and connects UB Off the Bench couple of buckets here tonight foot behind in the line that time it will count as a three down a 21t three-pointer earlier but it's Harris with a triple of her own and Harris is a 36% three-point shooter she's made the second most threes for Connecticut D boner leads with 44 Harris has 42 here's dtis extra pass Lexi hole [Applause] Jones with a huge size advantage on Clark that shot spins out nice jot by dtis to give some help wheeler Piro eding back for hole this time will take it on the dribble doas pulls up and leaves a three ball shorts another good hustle play by Lexi Hull to get another long rebound Park switched on to by Jones steps back and connect on the three dant had it and lost it [Applause] Thomas is open and can't connect from the mid-range too strong good position underneath by bana Jones the fever ad to Fowler former coach and retired coach at Iowa you know I was when I was in the locker room with Stephanie white you remember Stephanie was a part of the first team here as a player and she said reminded me that David Letterman's mother bought the first season ticket for Indiana Fever games how about that very cool very fitting he's in attendance and very fitting an indie native kn down that three as Ty Harris has this level here at 38 we led by nine Connecticut by six Mitchell showing off the [Applause] muscle may she started the season in Chicago it's there last year as well a key mid-season acquisition here for Connecticut Clark feed benley who finds some space shot too strong and that's the issue when you have Boston on the floor and she runs so hard to the other end she doesn't get in that drag action first post down right hle called for the foul there that's what I'm talking about no one's taking a charge there no one that's the second on hole th Thomas with eight early points although she is 03 at the foul line pros and rookies to have fun all skill levels are invited by Centennial Unity Plaza multifaceted space outside gamebridge Fieldhouse Thomas being aggressive on that Boston pass Boston kick out here is Clark [Applause] Harris working into a double team and that was off Harris last as Clark forces the turnover that's the eighth time Connecticut's turned it over one of the best teams in the league at taking care of the ball just 13 per game the fever have forced eight of them watch the way tamy benle Corrals and helps and then recovers good team defense weever had that 33-point first quarter they've been held to seven here in the second White's group is tighten the screws defensively here is Clark trying to create on Thomas the Leakes two leading assists Thomas knocks it away luy hle has to Fire and why not come on here is mayy answering with a three well both of Lexi holes threes have immediately been responded to by Marina Ma and here is Clark wide open knocks down a triple well Clark runs Carrington into Alysa Thomas gets some space and knocks down another triple well Indiana shooting it well they already have8 three-point baskets here in the first half here Caitlyn Clark has hit two of them Clark and Mitchell continue their post Olympic break tear they've combined for 23 of Indiana sp6 good guard to guard switch there by Indiana Thomas has been really strong too but that time pops it up here's Lexi Hull three on two Hull feeds to Clark right back for Lexi Hull who buries a three she's locked in she does a great job getting organized after Advanced passing exit cuts to the three-point [Applause] line she's trying to get skinny over that pinned down by Alissa Thomas right here watch the feet get organized because you push in transition you get numbers on the backside that's a two-on-one Lexi Hall had an option there was also a corner three available she is now an incomprehensible 13 for 17 from the three-point line Lexi Hull out of the Olympic break there's red hot and and there's what Lexi Hull has been doing Mar off the screen waits for Boston who Cates in both Boston and Clark see the second and the third level so [Applause] well thas to switch on to Mitchell and said goes with a skip pass there's no more uh screening action between two players than what you see between Clark and Boston they leave the league in ball screens right here this is an example of a ball screen and then a short roll through the nail bucket that's Clark's third assist and she leads the league and Lysa Thomas is3 behind her Thomas is two here tonight Austin has six assists in the first half beating inside for Smith couldn't handle it Indiana turns it over that's their ninth of the first [Applause] half ay just hits the deck no whistle either way and it's a turnover showed to David Letterman earlier it is a star studded crowd here in attendance how about the legend herself Olympic gold medalists Simone biles in attendance we use generational and goat way too much in our society not when it comes to Simone miles my goodness wow how cool is that making in some fever basketball here as Smith gets inside count it and no it's an off is it an offensive foul or is it an N1 it's an offensive foul it will not [Applause] count the official thought she lowered her shoulder which she does right there that's a big decision instead of giving the fever the first double digit lead of the game it is the third Indiana has done a good job on danana boner to this point now they're inverting her to the block because she has a size advantage over Mitchell ABY catch and shoot left the three ball shorts Clark way [Applause] [Music] outside this has been a really interesting first half at times the have looked very crisp their offense in high efficiency times they've turned it over likely a little bit too much for Christy Sid's liking but a 51 spot here late in the second quarter against the League's number two defense overall chrisy sides has to really like what she's seen nice sign of the growth here from the fever from early June the last time they played Connecticut and showing off on the defensive end as that one was off Jones last fin a minute first half here from gainbridge Fieldhouse Clark had it knocked away lost the handle Brianna Jones comes up with the steal that's Indiana's 11th first half turnover see Caitlyn Clark trying to ice that ball screen which means keep it on one side of the floor but Ty Harris gets the ball to reversed and there's that inversion to the block inverting inside and how about the defens of Wheeler hanging on there here's Clark surveying Mitchell side step last possession here I still like danana Bonner on a pin down Bonner hit that early three been held relatively in check since she's just two of eight from the floor G Thomas all sorts of space up there Harris has got a hurry just sees the clock fire away Bank Shot won't fall nice defensive stand there for the fever to close out the half coming up at halftime after the second quarter choose your chevy.com halftime report we'll take a look at the work in the community both the fever and the Pacers are doing around Central Indiana off keys to the second half fever shoot 55% in that first half knocked down nine threes they've got a nine-point lead on the number two team in the WNBA okay about Kelsey Mitchell and with Indiana shooting 50% from the three-point line you got to expect this right here Connecticut to be a little bit more risky run Indiana off the three-point line get up the line and on the other side I look for aah Boston to keep going to work in the paint here's Nelissa Smith trying to create on the drive hanang but can't finish nice move to get there here's Carrington she's got numbers if she hurries Carrington takes it right into hole and finishes [Applause] well Connecticut gives up the fewest threes in the league just six per game the fever hit nine in the first half so you can expect adjustments around the perimeter here is Clark the hesitation MIT shot clock winding down again had it stri from behind and another turnover Outlet past Carrington it was right on the money what a pretty leave by Alysa Thomas and good Hustle by Carrington to finish that's the kind of pass you want to throw in transition no one dribbles we having exactly started quarter strong here got down 82 early struggled offensively in the second and struggling here to start the third and able to kick it into gear oh nobody picked to Thomas but comes right up the middle but a late contest by Alissa [Applause] Smith CLK bouncing Boston step through it's an offensive foul this Boston's first and it's Indiana's 13th turnover they've turned it over twice nice here in the opening 90 seconds yeah I think Caron did a good job getting there we've not seen Katie L samelson tonight she was questionable for personal reasons look how you back off Alyssa Thomas you or not she's not going to take that shot but it changes his face on the floor when you can protect inside out against her h on a second effort it won't fall and then fre Jones Aaliyah Boston Alissa Smith and the breus a jump ball watch how Melissa Smith watch the offensive rebound [Music] here so it's Melissa Smith Brianna Jones Smith Taps it terrington sto it talked about it on Monday the fever have struggled on these jump ball situations here this year and boner hangs it finishes it turns into a three-point play so this is Stephanie White right out of the locker room a little bit up the Line run Indiana off the three-point line and put it on the deck and get downhill danana Bonner gets right into the chest of Nelissa Smith I thought Smith was trying to stay vertical and get out of the way and so a ninepoint fever lead at halftime Smith got a technical on that [Applause] too so boner with the technical free throw and then the n one this has the potential this a big swing right here look she's vertical and she doesn't understand why she gets the foul slaps the stenin and gets the technical remember the fever had that five-point possession laid against Atlanta it ended up maybe being the pivotal possession here's a four-point possession for Connecticut still a long way to go but Indiana's lead almost erased entirely here in the first two minutes and Clark gives it away it's Carrington with the steel and Connecticut kick can't take the lead oh Carrington she blew the a shot of the knights Clark can't make them pay Smith with the foot back and it B his home good work inside by Smith you got a ball fake the Connecticut defense Conor working on Lexi Hull off the [Applause] screen and Thomas just Bulls over toysa Smith it's an offensive foul that's the third on Thomas she wants a r be an offensive foul if they rule Thomas lowered her shoulder then that is [Music] enough it's nothing yeah so it's not the fifth foul on Smith got the bucket counts it's a one-point game Indiana's got to pick up their momentum right here I mean they look like they're going through the motions a little bit here this is a dangerous time so the fever go through Boston one of the pillars and Boston gives it away Carrington with the steel caring in the hesitation the step through the find of honor and now Connecticut is in front Indiana has not been good all night at stopping the ball and it's hard when you turn it over to stop the ball Lexi Hull fire away why not Lexi huller 43 I love that feature at halftime about how hard she works and she wasn't kidding just a good read behind the [Applause] screen h dangerous pass Boston comes up with a steal Clark looking ahead defended well by Alysa Thomas that's how he stopped the ball Smith gets inside and draws the foul Alissa Thomas stops the ball and gives her team time to load up to the strong side but when you catch it that deep it's hard to defend anybody in this league especially when you got a mismatch you got a big being guarded by a perimeter Smith has played Just 12 minutes here tonight but has nine points and has just gone into double digits the fever have four players in double figures 22 times for Tama Catchings her first in June of 2002 and her last in June of 2015 that's 22 weeks where T Catchings was the best player in the [Applause] week Clark earning her first and likely have a number somewhere near that Lexi Hall doing a really good job jumping to the ball right there and see now that foul is called by the Baseline official behind the play no space to see in between there watch this right here H there's a shove and Bonner goes [Applause] [Music] down Che back F bleay has checked back in here for the [Applause] fever four fouls for Smith four for hle [Applause] there shot clock down the four the switch on the hole pass to nobody in particular and carington has to fire away it's a shot clock violation so Indiana does a good job of icing and switching that guard to guard action on the same side of the floor if that takes you deeper into the shot clock that's a good defensive possession by the fever you think could trigger Indiana's offense here six points and over four minutes to start the Third clarkk the shot fake Clark the drive and they got her carington got her before the drive not a bad foul if you're Connecticut it's a really good shot fake you have to have a pressure package in against Stephanie White's team because they are very physical and aggressive on the defensive end so ball fakes shot fakes dribble entries here's Boston off the mark on a three she has hit seven of them this year 11 in her career Inc capable from the perimeter if you leave her open and Harris off the screen her shot too strong and now it's Clark launch ahead Mitchell behind the defense doesn't it look like a quarterback sometimes throwing to a wide receiver on an out route to The End Zone it does to me especially from this angle where we are she deploys that outlet pass already I would say better than any player in the league pton Clark's fourth assist here is Jones from the mid-range but you also have somebody like Kelsey Mitchell who Sprints who's got great speed in the open floor trying to clear out some space for she and Boston Boston pulls up battling for it inside there's Lexi Hull again another offensive rebound for Hull it's a fifth rebound of the night hand off Clark behind the back want to pull that out there can't cap it off with a three look at fact benley Hustle and this crowd loves it you know I really shouldn't be surprised by anything Caitlyn Clark does anymore but to do the behind the back there why not she hits that triple it's number one on Sports Center top 10 tomorrow it's Mayhem be are plus six on the glass they have just been massively improved there here out of the Olympic break break the League's second re second best rebounding team were just eighth in rebounding heading into the Olympic break Tai Harris trying to steal the jump ball there Kevin FY says no you will not B benley easily wins it here for Indiana shot clock at 14 Clark step back hits a three a thing of Beauty there's no defense for that Carrington with an answer what does Clark have upper sleeve this time oh she gets it to go maybe could have got a foul there too I mean push and transition and put pressure on that D very quickly five quick points here for katn Clark and Thomas just runs over Clark and not going to get the benefit of the whistle that time [Applause] take another look here at the heavy [Applause] contact little bit of a shoulder there not little bit a lot of a shoulder there for Alyssa Thomas yeah they're they're not going to look at this they might it's gotten the fans here fired [Applause] up wheeler had 10 good minutes in the first half back on the floor here to start the seconds Mitchell hand off from Boston switch Mitchell pulls up here have hit 11 threes here tonight not that time it's already two more than they average per game almost double but Connecticut gives up per game a off the screen pag benley stays right with her double team on Thomas in the post but they get it to her Thomas fumbles it but found its way out to Carrington who has a three ball Rim outs Thomas with the offensive rebound here's Bonner on the drive and F Bentley just ripped it away and jump Paul is the call how about Tammy benley long athletic makes a diving play on the floor now makes this play defensively and that's what she's supposed to do run the floor defend blow up ball screen action you can make a case that shouldn't even be a jump ball but the fever do win it wheeler drops it for Clark the hesitation Clark gets inside here's benle with the reverse it's not enough just a get back in transition and this time Mitchell just wrenches it out of there's defense at The Rim has been so improved here out of the break Clark here's Boston hesitation extra pass Mitchell is wide open this place is jacked up and mayy says bring it down a notch Ma has hit three threes tonight all three of them have come off of Indiana triples answers HS Connecticut back within five here's Mitchell looking for more looking aggressive that's a deep two it's too strong there for Mitchell she's two points shy of her fifth straight game with 20 points be a new franchise record when she gets there here's ma from the mid-range uhoh she gets hot now watch out this is why she's on the team at the deadline trade right before the break she can make buckets CLK splits the double and the floater there's the floater that she worked on during the break oh that becomes a regular part of her repertoire well she hasn't really needed it yeah there's ma starting to heat up bounce past Thomas back inside Nelson ad DOA over Boston skips [Applause] out CLK shovels Boston into the corner really good ball movement here by Indiana here lately pounding defense by Carrington who took it away she has been so Dynamic All Season especially tonight defensively now clar's had a really good night but she's gotten her for a few turnovers as well of the best on ball guard defenders in the league pretty good candidate for most improved this year on the all defensive team as well I would say Caron is has quick hands what a find she was here by this franchise the 20 pick in 2021 mering career highs the points assists rebounding and playing a defense like that wins the jump ball what a sequence there by Carrington here's Burton going coast to coast and laying it [Applause] in something about the clock now they add a second to it about a second to it it's a two onone this is an excellent job by Burton Erica wheeler stunts tries to get her to pass just a good finish two-on one it's a drill you do every day since you're have nine-year-old kid playing Hoops 3 second differential shot clock and game clock we wind down the third quarter anding with a three-point lead Mark the switch on to Burton Clark on the drive back for Boston Boston will let it fly and can't connect benle skying but can't pull it down well Connecticut went from down nine they briefly took a lead IND theander responded and the Fe have a three-point lead after three Michel and Clark have combined for 35 the Carrington dynamic in the third for Connecticut short roll on balance bucket they are so good in that combination Aaliyah Boston and Caitlyn Clark start the fourth quarter and when you got Shooters in a corner like Indiana has it's really hard to help on that action they manipulate the five player so well with their offensive scheming Chris SI and her staff do an excellent job of that and carington draws the foul got tripped on her way to the rim we'll see who that's on Alissa Smith does have four fouls and this goes to Boston it's her second boy has Carrington really leveled up here in the second half she's been really efficient she's been a a problem on the defensive end for Indiana it's seven in the third quarter she has not missed at the free throw [Applause] line leads Connecticut in scoring with [Applause] 15 does Miss there Clark with 17 Mitchell with 18 that back court has been excellent again here for Indiana here are Clark and Mitchell Clark going behind the back runs into Nelson OD DOA backing your way in on Burton shot clock down to five whips it in for Mitchell Smith came down with it but she's on the ground when she get rid of it it's just going to be a shot clock violation I think it's fever Ball but I'm not sure there's any time left yeah Caitlyn Clark is better in the middle third than when she's down in the corner and they've had a couple of deflections and tip balls down there in the corner you can't let Connecticut ice you and keep you on one side you got to keep it in the slotter the middle third area that's where Caitlyn is I think the most dangerous with the ball in her hands that's 17 turnovers for Indiana really high number here early in the fourth it's been negated in large part the fact that Connecticut's turned it over 14 times have actually outscored the sun off of the turnover here tonight Alexi H goes under that Marina mavy screen but she recovers quickly you got to be really careful because she can do that and she gets a hand on it and Thomas just fires it up there and Banks it home to beat the shot clock Park Laing ahead and hole with an answer on the other end what a pass you know it's coming as a defense you talk about it in Scout yet Indiana runs right by you Lexi hole with the slant route there Caitlyn Clark hits her in stride Carrington feeds it inside here is Thomas one dribble extra pass mabery sets up Burton that one rattles out good ball movement but Burton not a great three-point shooter 25% CL driving off Burton stepping back she sticks right with her CLK fires can't hit on a three oh look at Boston just wrestled out of the hands of Nelson OD DOA and take it right at her but OD DOA responds with a block what a duel down there between couple of young bigs bost's got to be careful right here she's upset she's getting after the [Applause] official are trying to get inch he's got a hurry finds Lexi Hull here's Hull on the drive last minute looking for Boston the pass was a little too far ahead and a fouls called on Connecticut Boston did a nice job of wrestling that one away she's won a couple 50/50 balls early in the [Applause] Fourth Connecticut really making Indiana work Austin backing her way inside deep position she won't miss from there she uses her lower body to Shield Rim body ball at that point in the game right there on that on that spot on the floor Pat eight points eight boards for Boston closing in on what would be her 12th double double of the Season at 11 all of last [Music] [Applause] year Thomas going to work on Smith that shot won't fall with the shot clock winding down Beaver get a stop you give Thomas that cushion on the top because you want her to shoot it but you've got to make sure you defend her not let her get that deep oh ran right into a wall flipped it up there and AD DOTA blocked it out of bounds wow didn't in the break when they were introduced on the Big Board in here wow like I said before there's generational there's goats and it's overused but now when it comes to those two not often you're David Letterman in getting the third biggest cheer the crow or fourth if you count Caitlyn certainly oh Carrington weaving through traffic and a crafty finish for D Carrington who's got [Applause] 17 this has been Connecticut's Pace they have deed up in a quarter Court they've been excellent they've forced Indiana deeper into the shot clock here's eight on the clock Smith the shot fake drivve it on Thomas hangs but can't finish tapped around luy hole once again had it but lost it that time so couldn't secure the offensive rebound for Indiana she has six offensive rebounds tonight Carrington doing a great job off the bounce attacking Indiana's defense downhill Burton who has all sorts of space out there Indiana fine with her shooting ma off Alex and Smith sky for the rebound mayy knows how to create some space she's been pushing her sisters around for decades Clark off a punishing screen from Boston out for Lexi hle Boston right there underneath but Connecticut swats at it oh look at Alysa Thomas and that's bried Jones going for it there b hitting the floor here you got to be really tough and dialed in right now this is where Connecticut has experience they've got three wins against the fever they're number two right now in the standings and they are going to execute down the stretch and make it tough for you they'll execute on both ends Indiana has to be sharp right here Boston and Jones Boston wins the tip Mitchell tracks it down a big jump ball there for aiyah Boston now it's Smith going back at Thomas got right around her too far underneath Boston lost it and that is off of Oh I thought it was off of Conneticut sometimes I don't know why Nelissa Smith doesn't use the board she makes these moves around the rim she works so hard to get there let take a look here the fever are going to challenge this well that looks like that is off mayy yeah that's clear so this fever retake possession [Applause] here mitell sizing up Marina maber offs to Caitlyn Clark Clark trying to turn the corner gets inside and shot too strong Carrington's been lethal in the second half the step throw lays it in and we are Level typically Caitlyn is responsible for defensive balance and when she gets all the way to the rim and Falls it's five on four going the other way and nobody stops the ball Indiana has not done a good job of stopping the ball tonight off a turnovers or off of Misses 21 fast break points as Mitchell fires away and hits a deep two Connecticut's outscored Indiana 21 to5 on The Fast Break to butress your points inside 5 minutes to play in a five point game Kelsey Mitchell is third in the league and what is called clutch points and that was her 20th so she is now the fever record holder for consecutive 20-point games as Jones spins inside can't finish loose ball underneath again how many of these have we seen and how often is it Lexi Hull that comes [Applause] [Music] away trying to work her way off Burton feeds to Boston oh in the spin oh but misses it the Rim made great twist action too and then they get two points on the other end that's a massive swing the fever go from up four to tied in the blink of an eye Connecticut is so quick converting from defense to offense Now 23 fast break points the fever that want to play fast but Connecticut has done a great job at that game here tonight Mitchell being smothered by Carrington but Mitchell just blew Byer and lost the handle once again more fast break opportunity and they'll have their shot at the foul line I I think that's a good foul even though it's another one on Smith you got to make Alyssa Thomas earn it at the free throw line she's not a great free throw shooter but she's much better in transition getting a bucket here and that's actually a good foul and Thomas is just one of four from the line here tonight she's a 63% foul shooter [Applause] knocks that one down at times in her career when she was dealing with shoulder injury she was doing that lefty well she's got two torn laams and I asked her you going to fix it no I'm going overseas to China I'm not going to fix it until I'm done playing and you don't blame her at this point in her career she's been able to survive cuz she had so much other value to her teammates besides shooting a three MVP two years ago and will be high on those charts again this season and Connecticut has a two-point lead Mitchell turns the corner into traffic hle fought about the three hle back for Mitchell catch and shoot buries the three nice screen by tamy F benl Kelsey Mitchell the League's leading scorer out of the Olympic break knocks Downer 43 and puts the fever back in front NE team is led by double digits here tonight it's been tight throughout Indi trying to earn their 15th win as mayy just shrugs off hole and hits a cold blooded three and she tells Lexi Hull about it and once again there was a timeout in there but it comes right after an Indiana 3 Kelsey Mitchell off the Iverson cut Mitchell turns the corner feeds Boston won't miss that time beautiful pass over the top by Mitchell and Boston now into double figures all fever starters [Applause] are you go under on everyone for Connecticut except for mavy Burton getting some big minutes down the stretch ma fire away not that time P benley the rebound honor and Harris not on the floor right now here for [Applause] Connecticut Mark rejecting the screen behind the back to Boston shot clock down to nine Mitchell catch and shoots hits a three and oh it's not going to count it's not going to count it's a moving screen so was the ball out of her hands before the screen Christy sides is talking to her staff about do they want to re challenge this I think she wants to challenge it I think she believes Mitchell is it gone then the whistle I think that counts that should count that shot is up it appears at least on that view and now Indiana can challenge the foul call christe sides is asking if it was a three before the ball comes in bounds she's trying to get claric ification before she [Applause] decides it's a three yeah they're not going to let her challenge it well that's a bad Miss at a bad time Mark that down pat 150 to [Applause] [Music] play Thomas hand off ma oh Boston nearly lost it Mitchell there to the rescue you got to be really sharp right here no game slippage Clark on the drive Clark lays it in no one ever helps on that strong Side Drive with Clark because there's a shooter in the corner and she can make that pass back door here as Burton runs into a wall NE he's taking a lot of shots here in the fourth they work the way of Thomas Thomas splits the double leaves it short Boston the rebound she is swarmed and gets it to Clark final 60 seconds of soldout crowd to their feet Indiana's lost just one time in this building since the start of June Clark shrugs are off oh it was halfway down Clark can't believe it's two for one opportunity here late game o hole has the assignment of Marina Ma and Stephanie white will take a timeout of pin down action late but that's where Ma has made a difference and boner just checks back in yeah she's dangerous here in her matchup they like to invert her to the block as as well so it's Hull over on boner and it's Mitchell on Ma that had been Hull's assignments well I like ma with the ball here making a decision MIT harassing here is Thomas shot clock down to four they're not going to get the two for one Thomas had it knocked away good hands benley it's fever ball what a floor game by benley what she does isn't going to show up a lot in the stat sheet tonight but she has been disrup Ive all game she's used her length her quickness and her defensive IQ and it's our Master Jeweler's defensive gem tamy benley coming up in a massive spot defensively and she has been hampered by injury this year but when she has been available she has been a huge boost here to the fever this is her 14th game she's played she's missed 177 you don't usually hear defense called clutch that was pretty clutch defense now watch this play right here watch the ball see it goes off back benley so the question then would be if they challenge it I don't think they did cuz I didn't see the officials going to the monitor I'm not sure where the shot clock would have been it was really winding down so right here because Connecticut has been so good up the line getting tips deflections you're not looking to foul right away you're trying to get a steal see both teams have the reset timeouts that's the new rule in the WNBA to advance the ball and each team has a regular timeout left [Applause] too and so Lexi Hull will inbound here for IND Indiana really good free throw shooters on the floor Pat for Indiana for all intents and purposes the shot clock is off all trying to get it in and got it into Clark and they immediately do foul that's an interesting decision an immediate foul and on Indiana's best free throw [Applause] shooter especially when this could become a two possession game and Connecticut is not a great three-point shooting team at 35% tonight but they did a foul excuse they had a foul to give [Applause] yes now ho will get it in Kelsey Mitchell hits the deck and there's a foul well they could challenge this and if it were to be overturned it would be an interesting determination of whether that would be traveling or not [Applause] I can't see from behind if Burton gets her but I'm not sure that it's traveling either did anybody touch her that's the thing it's a it could be a good challenge Stephanie white challenged earlier in one looks like she loses her balance yeah not much there then danana boner immediately reacting I did not touch her so what do Kevin Fahy Jenna Rau and Gina cross Come Away with here because if you take the foul away then what do you rule in terms of where Kelsey Mitchell was on the ground and what was the [Music] clock there anything from that angle if she dig Grabber Jersey there but that is before the ball comes inbound so you can't go back to that right you got to evaluate this play I think they're going to come away with travel I think so too I think it's going to be Connecticut's ball at minimum it looks like it's got a high probability of being successful but what successful means really is the key here is it traveling with the fever maintain possession with a rule jump ball there is a little tug there and that has the slightest chance of being a Saving Grace Indiana I don't think you can evaluate that part of it the whistle is on [Music] this what a game p oh my goodness I mean it was 8-2 to start the game and christey sides called a timeout and then Indiana scored more points against Connecticut in the first quarter than anybody has scored against him all year 33 points more in the first half than anyone scored in the first half kcut has dug down defensively just 31 points for Indiana in the second half this was similar to Atlanta on Monday night and the fever are hoping just like Atlanta on Monday night to be able to hold on all the games are going to be like this are you kidding me this is we're in the playoff push right here baby everybody's pushing for the playoffs and this game massive to both of these teams Connecticut holding on to a half game lead over Minnesota for third Indiana on the other hand can pull within a game of sixth Place Phoenix who is in action later tonight of course the fever trying to lock down a playoff spot for the first time since 2016 they went for 12 straight years and haven't been since the last time they were in the playoffs Caitlyn Clark was a freshman in high school this is really interesting they're going to come away with no foul yes it's going to be Indiana's ball I guess in the review you can't find a violation you're only evaluating the foul so I would not let Caitlyn Clark catch it here k Mitchell I would not let catch it I'd make someone else they are not guarding Lexi hold the inbounder so it's five on four they get it into Boston back to hole and Hull is fouled there by Carrington I believe Lexi Hull is a 76% free throw shooter when you talk about two massive moments that involved the officiating you had the three that was disallowed by Indiana on the offensive foul you had what could have been a challenge in a turnover there well you had the ball going offense back on the Baseline as well which could have been a challenge which get allowed Indiana to keep the ball and H knocks down the first oh with 17 points in her second start of the Season she's been terrific Off the Bench and now packing a punch in the starting lineup so Stephanie white will use a reset timeout and ADV the ball Erica wheeler she can get hype about anything loving that free throw going down you can get a quick two here I would not let ma get a three off May off the screen weaves inside kick God Carrington she is open can't hit the three rebound Caitlyn Clark and is Connecticut going to let this go well it looks for the time being that they are and they are going to let this go it's nine wins in their last 10 home games for Indiana they snap an 11 game losing streak to Connecticut and their magic number to make the playoffs is down to [Applause] six debie Indiana was tested late on Monday in Atlanta they were tested late here tonight and this young group has come through