Fever vs Sparks [FULL GAME] SEP 04, 2024 | WNBA Highlights | WNBA Season 2024

playoff bound Indiana Fever take the floor for the first time oh what's the significance here as this franchise is back in the playoffs you know fun all day today and the ride just getting ready to start the Sparks the number four overall pick in the player of the week as she has put forth year in La after spending seven years in Connecticut against the Dallas Wings Clark on a step back off the mark last time these two teams matched up it was here in Indianapolis this is Odyssey Sims on a hardship deal arguing your face that it was deflected in the beginning Jackson averaging 13 points per game off the mark on her first break and you can't let Kelsey Mitchell get going cuz she has been record she's pulling away a big lead in that category Boston going to work on Stevens and Boston wins the most teams have to play Aaliyah Boston straight up because she is a willing passer and if you bring two she'll find an open three-point shooter so you have to try to go one-on-one at least to start the game to see if you can manage it defensively B have turned it over three times here in the opening three minutes it was something that Caitlyn Clark pinpointed as an area that needs to be improved too many turn over receiver in that win this time it's Indiana with the defense Lexi Hull going Coast to Coast Lexi Hull's play since she became in the starting lineup has been one of the not talked about enough changes for this team she certainly have atic on the defensive end she takes on one of the tougher perimeter assignments and she can shoot the three and she's been really shooting it well since the break her best numbers overall actually in her career here's Mitchell putting on the moves and Mitchell this has been quite a heater for Kelsey Mitchell the leading score in the Eastern Conference out of the Olympic break Hami goes back to work and the scoop shot rolls it in yeah Kelsey Mitchell is shooting better than 45% from the three-point line and it sets up her ability to drive she is a hard check tuck to keep in front Clark step back hits a three there's always a different energy in the building if Caitlyn gets going [Applause] early here is Hami who will fire from three Off the Mark they's missed their first four from out there and Caitlyn Clark looking to push the pace Clark showing off the moves Clark oh to the rim just couldn't finish she did all the hard stuff and then couldn't finish the easy on the other end it's Ria Jackson the rookie with performance in the month of August and continuing here through September now rookie of the month has only been around since 2010 but she's the first player ever to win rookie of the month and player of the month that's courtesy of across the timeline of course that doesn't count Candace Parker's rookie season where she was MVP here is Nelissa Smith fire away and Miss on a three ball Sparks offense just 11th in the WNBA as Odyssey Sims gets inside and finishes they are prone to pull off the upset maybe New York a week ago today they beaten La a couple of times and Odyssey Sims a veteran and played well here on some hardships who was that foul called it on Lexi hle [Applause] so an early five points for Odyssey Sims as Kurt Miller has had to deal with a lot of injuries this year Cameron Brink miscommunication on Indiana's end that's the four turnover so you wonder you clinch the playoffs what's Indiana going to look like when they show up right are they going to lose their focus are they going to just be you know going through the motions here today just miscommunication between Mitchell and Clark have been Talk of the Town here the last couple of days the winning streak they clinched the playoffs all the individual Awards the coaching Awards so they're going to be tested here tonight and La has beaten some of the top teams in the WNBA mental toughness you're right Pat you look at LA's lost seven of eight but the one win is New York the top team in the league there's Boston who gets inside and lays it [Music] in had to say about winning that award saying she felt like Kelsey Mitchell was equally if not more deserving and that she's kind of sharing it with her those two as you touched on have been so Dynamic especially out of the Olympic break Andy just puts her head down and can't finish tipped out to Clark they getting back defensively as Smith gets inside and draws the foul Clark with an early to reach the school Clark said she doesn't like to party there's still a lot of work to be done Kelsey thank you and yeah clinching at midnight this morning last night not exactly the way that maybe you draw it up but still an exciting moment for the franchise question and ahead of schedule right Christy sides also shared that when Rick fusen hired her from Pacer sports and entertainment asked you know how long do you think it's going to take to get the playoffs she said four maybe three she got a four-year contract out of it and in her second year as the head coach and her first head coaching experience she's got the fever in the sixth spot in the playoffs fever have not been there since 2016 to mik Catchings was still playing when that happened Odyssey Sims finds some space but can't hit on a three Clark with the hesitation Clark gets inside and lays it in instead up turning it over Indiana playing downhill right now coming off the timeout and I'm looking for them to keep going to Aaliyah Boston in that match up inside here's Hami fighting through traffic flips it up shot won't fall and Boston comes up with the rebound plus four here on the glass in the early going and Indiana's hit seven of their first 10 shots turned it over four times I love this pistol action in [Music] transition kerson getting some minutes in the first quarter over and back and it's Indiana's fifth turnover once again Caitlyn Clark frustrated on and over and back [Applause] kin I don't think that's endearing to the officials do you I would guess not yeah I don't think so she's arguing that on both of those she kind of put up the two finger on both of those feeling like there was a deflection Christy sides calling Eric BR looking for an explanation see if we can tell that just looked off of Samuelson at least on that one and samelson shaking a little bit of rust [Applause] [Music] too here is Stevens on the roll oh can't finish well they're getting to the rim they're just not [Applause] finishing Mitchell hand off Boston and bounces it back for she was held Harry McDonald who's just checked in called for the hold on Boston one of the not talked about skills of Aaliyah Boston I don't think enough is her screening ability I mean she had 65 understand angle she's good in the twist action she's really good in the short roll and that has evolved over the course of the season that's not something she was doing last year Mitchell catch and shoot whistle there to hit a three and let's check on where this foul is and if it's simultaneous to the shot but we saw the three-point signal being put up there by official Angel Kent so they're going to count the baskets and then who's shooting the free throw here the SP Kati lerson should be the one at the free throw line now Mitchell she's shooting 45% from Beyond The Arc since the break and she's coming off that 36o performance in Dallas she scored over onethird of Indiana's points cuz they scored 100 it's amazing performance by Mitchell and just in case you thought maybe two days off would cool her off she hits her first three shots here tonight Mitchell leads all scores with seven just a stunning run here from Kelsey Mitchell one of the best all time in Fever history Mitchell doing a really good job fronting Ria Jackson and it's McDonald who knocks down a three this is a smaller team on the perimeter right now and there's a misconnection between Boston and Clark they're just a half a beat off on the offensive end tonight as Indiana the shot is falling they're eight of 11 but that's six turnovers in the quarter Indiana did struggle with that in Dallas Clark talking about a pregame saying look we put up a 100 and turned it over way too many times here's Lee Yu Off the Mark first attempt really good defense there P by Indiana Yu is a big young physical post who can run off screening action who can go screen this is a young player that has an incredible upside at 67 playing in her second year in the league here she is number 28 back door pass finds Kia La Miss multiple shots at The Rim here in the first quarter Clark thought about it and McDonald went down and an offensive foul on Indiana that is their seventh turnover here in the quarter there's ktie Lou watch ktie Lou right [Music] there McDonald sets up to draw the charge that's one way to slow down a transition game the Sparks though don't have any points off of the fever turnover so it hasn't hurt them in that regard that will continue now here's Mitchell just weaving her way through the entire defense oh Mitchell get the layup to go such a great change of pace change of Direction so fun to watch Jackson Nice footwork and I think La has missed five or six layups around the rim here in the first quarter oh there's a switch that Kelsey Mitchell's got to light there's a post up action Here Comes help it comes Boston flips the shoulder and it's an offensive foul great job by LA to mix it up right here's a mismatch inside K and nurse under sized against Boston Ham's going to come into your picture right here to bring [Applause] help that offensive foul is indan his eighth turnover of the quarter Burell who's just checked in and nurse dials up a three Nur Kean nurse has made the most triples for La that's her 41st Clark stepping back on the Baseline knocking it down from the mid-range that's a beautiful mid-range step back off one foot we've talked about her Runners and floaters that she worked on in the Olympic break where she's added that to her game as well and Mitchell each have seven [Applause] Donald lobbing it up he wasn't there Burell able to save it in the corner barell attacking the Baseline and draws the [Applause] foul Indiana has not been able to pull away here in the first quarter LA's missed shots around the the rim and Indiana has turned the ball over that's why it's such a low scoring first quarter and Indiana shooting 64% from the floor taking eight eight less shots because of that turnover well off the mark on her first chrisy sides was a little concerned about how her team would show up I mean you just kind of you might relax just a tad you're playing La they've lost seven out of eight you've already clinched the playoffs I think we'll see a much different looking team in the second quarter still a lot on the line seatings wise people have a lot of work to do to try to secure the sixth spot Clark will launch up balance nearly got it to go take us through the first quarter of action with that back court of Clark and Mitchell in this building here tonight of course the W NBA's assist leader in Caitlyn Clark and the NBA's assist leader in Tyrese halberton of the Indiana Pacers can find him underneath the basket had a lot of home games this year it's a lot of appreciation for the WNBA I love Tyrese as a player but then when I watched him in the Olympics and how he managed not getting to play I'm a bigger fan because he is an incredible teammate the Pacers are lucky to have him Conor mcaffrey I mean yeah Conor mcaffrey sitting there next to Tyrese he is on the Pacers staff and a good fortune here if you are a fan of Indiana pro basketball you have maybe the two best passers in the world both in their early 20s and both playing in this building as nurse misses on a three there's Lee battling underneath well it's all about Pace right Indiana pays the Pacers play with the fastest Pace in the in the NBA and you can say that about the Indiana Fever they play at a very fast pace one of the tops in the league certainly after the break for sure give and go there de' Hami and K nurse who connect nurse has five and she was terrific in that Spark's upset win here in May Clark draws the foul and will head to the line just a simple clear out naked side Twan game right here with a switch and Caitlyn Clark going right right handed with a little hesi right here gets her hips and shoulders past Kia nurse to the free throw line paru has the five highest scoring games for a rookie this year to go along with leading the league in assists and you see that number there 8.4 only one player in League history's ever had more than that in a season Courtney Vander slops every night it's a different record it seems like it's a full-time job just trying to keep up with it it sure is which number is more impressive than another that's the thing we don't have time to spend on all the numbers McDonald misses on a three the reigning player of the Week player of the month rookie of the month Clark on the bounce St is charging inside and finishing it's a great read Because Kean nurse stunts at the downhill drive but Lexi Hall is in the corner and you don't want to give up a three to Hull Donald working the Baseline there's barell through traffic and a tough finish so good in that short pick and roll game right here Caitlyn Clark with all post players Smith and dtis but she's best with Boston we looking the way of dtis again backing in on Lee and a foul on the floor going against Lee Yu just good execution right here by Indiana lot the little short roll Clark puts it right into her hands you see the stunt on the on the strong Side by nurse yet dtis takes it all the way to the rim for a bucket and a stunt means it's like a defensive fake Mitchell lost the handle that time on the [Applause] drive here is Nurse stepping back launching and hitting a three nurse Kia nurse who not necessarily known for her three-point shooting but the last time that she was here she hit five threes and the Sparks beat the fever she's knocked down two over three here tonight here is Clark floating it up shot too strong gets her own rebound Mitchell no look oh and Smith denial but on a second effort finishes this is LA's Pace you know Indiana hasn't been able to get any fast break opportunities this might be one right [Applause] here Clark over to [Applause] Mitchell it's the ultimate green light right now if you're Kelsey Mitchell or Lexi Hull behind the three-point line nurse stepping back and rattles that one home so Kia nurse has another good one going first player into double figures here tonight she's done it Off the Bench CL regularly seeing two there in the back court and that is Indiana's 10th turnover here you got to move it quicker you see the blitz Caitlyn gets rid of it quickly you got to move the ball and Hami there to make Indiana pay on the other end well for perspective F return it over 15 times per game this year and that's ninth in the WNBA so it's a little below League average they have 10 turnovers here in less than 14 minutes they have a minus two turnover margin a plus two rebounding margin kind of cancel each other out see H tracking down that rebound Clark putting on the moves Clark right here K nurs right here sets up her three point shooting in her balance in her game by being able to do both go off the bounce and knock down triples and then no ball fake here steal by La and a layup on the other end if hamy gets going that's trouble for Indiana she leads them in scoring at better than 17 points a game he's almost a double double inbound Mitchell with a headful of steam you can just see the confidence brimming on Kelsey Mitchell as she steps into a two not Off the Mark there ody see Sims has check back in here for the Sparks [Music] lety hole sticking right there with Ray barell and Kia nurse has a three ball Rim out Jackson battling Mitchell able to tap it and Lexi Hall long close out moves her feet stops the penetration recovers and rebounds that's what she's been doing to help Indiana ontis over a double team that was a difficult look and Odyssey Sims on the drive draws the foul [Applause] Sparks with a one-point lead Midway through the second here in gamer Fieldhouse at home for the fever is Kean Ur already put together a fine evening 10 points in 10 minutes off the bench and the LA Sparks are second in the W in bench points at 25 points per game is their average Sims is one of two from the line Beaver have won nine of their last 10 in this building it has been a true homec court advantage since the beginning of June six straight coming up here Indiana's only got one more Road game left in the entire season people have just been sloppy here so far well they haven't gotten anything easy they've had to execute in the quarter court and now La is starting to make shots and they're getting back in transition so they're getting the matchups they want when you score you can naturally match up with who you want to to defend if you're playing in transition that's where Indiana can get you with some mismatches inside for Boston and there's a foul on Stevens you don't see many times where Caitlyn and Aaliyah don't connect but right here like a is not at the right angle to receive that pass and that's a tough pass by Caitlyn especially when aiyah is trying to fight for position in the paint Mitchell trying to get this Indiana offense kick started that'll help Kelsey Mitchell 14 times this season she's been over the 20po mark he's got 90 threes on the season and Stevens answers with a three AER Stevens a Stevens went to Cary High School in Cary North Carolina home of the imps same place as me if I had any records there gone they've been gone Clark good feed into Boston with deep position lays it in we share that in common me and azire and we love going back to car and get some shots up here's azire again oh doing her best Debbie antelli come on azer backto back triple she's a 35% three-point shooter she's 66 she's got the three and the D now Boston on the other end oh shot too strong there got right to the rim LA's hit six threes they're using a lot of the formula that worked here back in may knock down the three and forc the turnover that time the Sparks give it back that's just the second turnover on Los Angeles here and the fever have turned it over over 11 times and for Kurt Miller who has been a longtime coach in this league very successful coach of the Connecticut Sun been former coach of the year and executive of the year in this league and he loves coming back to the state of Indiana where he has a home he's a longtime college coach at Bowling Green and at Indiana really good guy Sims able to flip that one in part of our gold medal winning Olympic coaching staff as well [Music] oh feeding inside for dtis we can see a concerted effort here by Indiana to try to feed the post which we haven't seen a ton of over the last few games there's fast and then there's acceleration and fast is north and south acceleration through their cuts through their actions right now is just a beat off not the way we've seen Indiana play offensively and I want to say la has something to do with that because they're getting back in transition and not letting Indiana get anything easy worth noting that the Sparks have just about secured the number one Lottery spot too you don't like to think that would come into play late in the year but realistically sometimes it does it's a two-year rolling average in the WNBA and there's a four game gap between them and Washington so from that perspective There's real no issue with LA winning here down the stretch and they beat New York last week they've knocked off Vegas a couple of times they've got some impressive wins despite the fact that they're it's part of the reason why they've got this five-point lead here in the second quarter they lost by 18 against Atlanta on Sunday and hit just three threes all afternoon so they've doubled Sunday's total here in the first half and they've taken good care of the ball despite that play just their third turnover you I had a chance to go to La's practice yesterday in the Indiana Fever practice court coach Miller allowed me in there it's always a learning laboratory when you're in the gym with these coaches in the W because they work so hard at their schemes and they work hard at putting their personnel in the right spots it was really fun to be in another team's practice in the league here's Burell fighting inside and getting the roll so Boston has 10 Ray Burell packing a punch Off the Bench she's got eight bench has 21 of their 44 points as Boston back door cut it's Mitchell and that play has worked in the second half of the season Leah Boston does a great job of setting up Kelsey Mitchell you dribble right at Mitchell's Defender and let her v-cut back door and she's just too quick barell to switch on to Boston Boston just pounding her there on the perimeter Sims off the screen drive it into samelson and denied what a tremendous defensive play Katie L samelson on the switch using her length not fouling doing a great job of contesting Odyssey Sims at The Rim Katie L with her length right here gets the switch High hands on the switch good job of drawing the foul as well and so samelson with a block on one end will now head to the free throw line on the other play five minutes here in the first half samelson who is dealing with an illness has not played much for Indiana here out of the Olympic break in fact she scored just three total points since the Olympic break some of that has been the arrival of Lexi Hull she has taken a lot of those Wing minutes we haven't seen Christy Wallace much either you know you got to play your role you got to star in your role and I think Katie Lou is you know she's start had a starting role now she's coming off the bench again she's a new mom she's dealing with a lot you know her her baby Aaliyah is 11 months old of course dear Hami you know she had two kids and she was back in six weeks so she's a crazy woman and Hami playing at all WNBA level this year here is Hami shot too strong while ping pongs around look at Lexi Hull hit the deck they're going to get her for a foul Hami usually finishes all of that activity around the rim just three for nine for dear [Applause] Hami yeah that that's a foul it's a tough one because it's a hustle play by Lexi Hull and it seems like when you mention Hull you mentioned hustle in the same sentence H has three fouls for Indiana KN clock down to seven Jackson trying to create driving on samelson shot Off the Mark there's Hami right place right time Hami off that bronze medal in the three on three in the Olympics remember Cameron Brink was a starter on this team number two pick in the draft who was hurt got hurt with an ACL injury 15 games in Cameron Brinks back home rehabing Cameron we're sending our best of you but hamy got to take her place in the Olympics she's enjoying Hami despite the foul there a career year 18 points per game 10 rebounds had a nice conversation with hamy yesterday at practice you know at the beginning of the Season she wrote a handwritten letter to every player on the team because she wanted to be a leader and she wanted to provide some encouraging words to everyone so for azire it was like you players are looking up to you you know you got to be a leader and for RIA it's like you're going to be an All-Star in this league just keep working when you get encouraging words from a veteran like that who knows what it takes to win really helps bring your team together question and that's what Erica wheeler right there has tried to do for Indiana as well been a mentor here for this group and Boston knocks down the free throws Indiana has shot well from the foul line they are 10 of 11 pull back within a point here [Applause] [Music] and looking inside here is Jackson has the size advantage on Wheeler and Jackson knocks it down pretty stroke I think Ria Jackson is going to be an All-Star in this game I think she's got all the tools she's a highlevel elite scorer she's an incredible athlete and she lets the game come to her I've never seen her push or Force anything in the W when the game slows down and you're a rookie that's impressive oh Clark beautiful find to a cutting Boston really nice first half for Boston who has 14 points marks lead by one here what's been a competitive first half from Indianapolis Boston with 14 Mitchell with 12 Mar has nine points and six assists but Ria Jackson fourth overall pick showing out for Indiana Kelsey Mitchell 12 in the first half she's looking for her eighth straight with 20 let's see what La does here on the offensive end I would go inside the ham and try to get her going looks like they're going to their horn set then on the defensive end I might Blitz the first ball screen just to see if Indiana handles it [Applause] here's tal got caught in the air and turns it over nice hands there by Aaliyah Boston Clark bouncing for Boston and gives it right back Sims into hole and gets it to go off balance [Applause] shots here is Boston with all sorts of space Mitchell on the drive turns the corner and gets to the rim forget about it she gets to that left hand so explosive off the bounce I mean incredibly fun to watch I always say this Pat she's like a running back Archie Griffin style if you will shoulder pads over the thigh pads here is talber to shuffled her feets Mitchell a great Buckeye Archie Griffin the only two-time Heisman Trophy win I got to give Archie a shout out because he got a statue and he doted the eye this weekend Kelsey loves Archie and Archie used to run with his shoulders over his thigh pads like a running back that's what Kelsey Mitchell always looks like to me when she turns a corner you've seen that speed be such an asset here for this fever offense for Caitlyn Clark as Indiana's offense has exploded here out of the Olympic break Smith going one-on-one attacking Hami and winning the battle Indiana knows it's one-on-one coverage in the post they have great spacing around that one-on-one coverage so if you bring help they're they're all willing passers out of that play here's Stevens lining up a triple and aere Stevens is knocked down three from out there three triples Aire shoot till your arm falls off aay the Sparks have h four more threes than the fever have here tonight one of the top three-point shooting teams in the league they shoot at third best Stevens has stolen the show here a little bit a was talking to me about her guide hand and about how she's really worked on making sure that she gets it off cleanly and you can see look at the follow through she's lined up at 66 knocking down threes Stevens will try it again leaving this one short a little bit of heat check there for azire Stevens and deservedly so there's that Blitz that's the way I would have started Kurt Miller has his team Blitz and it results in aah boson getting the away staying after it but you m c give it up Boston now with 14 and eight he's finding some room to work down there and on the other end Odyssey Sims continues to stay aggressive Sims has 12 hard to believe she's not on a regular roster deal somewhere in the WNBA kind of her story last year too bouncing around play some time in Dallas was great on those deals but not a full-time gig as able to shovel it there to Stevens clck will just let it go out of bounds under overhead strap ice Jam switch Blitz blur the 10 different ways right and here is Boston in the short roll off the blitz this is where Indiana has gotten really good in the middle third La took all that away in the first half looks like they're going right back to it here in the second Clark once again seeing double team it frees up Boston Boston can't finish underneath Mitchell has the offensive rebound for Indiana Mitchell staying aggressive flips it up flips it in to the right hand couny Mitchell well she's on her way to another 20-point game Mitchell with 16 and we are l at 55 and ready to vote scan the QR code right now on your screen to find out more fever and Sparks have been locked in a good one all level at 55 and we are just going to have a little walk to the other end of the court and try this again false start on the inbound I think F start you had the Griffin references and all the ball references so just going to had my mind on the GD iron penalty on the officials be interesting to see how the fever respond here they' felt at times kind of stuck in second gear but they've shown lips of breaking out of it they've taken better care of the ball here in the second [Applause] half n driving on Clark feeds it back for Hami hamy with a crossover driving into Smith leads a shot short defense there by Alysa [Applause] AR with nine points seven assists here so far Clark crossing over and dropping a three p so smooth oh and it's Clark with a steal Clark Off to the Races Sims given Chase she won't get there it's just a different energy in the building when plyn scores Little Five O Bur first from Caitlyn Clark as Jackson throws up a wild shot guess who with the rebound we're on triple double watch just so you know Clark looking for more Clark off the screen bounces for Boston Mar with 14 points seven assists six rebounds here is Hami on the other end spinning and drawing the [Applause] foul Boston says my bad Caitlyn as Caitlyn steps back and knocks down another triple and then the steel defensively in the layup 0 run by Caitlyn as deer Hami knocks down the first Boston couldn't finish on the other end a chance for IND Hami here headed to the free throw line Caitlyn Clark 14 points six rebounds seven assists Pat she does have one triple double she's the only rookie in the history of the league to have a triple double July 7th against New York 19 12 and 13 Mark still seeing two bodies opens up space for Boston here's ho on the drive puts on the brakes and had it knocked away good hands there by Hami and nurse a little too far for deer on the other end the Sparks give it back so Kurt Miller blitzes the first possession of the game no more blitzes in the first half it starts the second half with exactly what I thought he might do is show a few more blitzes and what it's done is because Indiana has not seen a lot of that lately it does throw you off Rhythm a little bit not that they don't prepare for it because they rep it every day in practice he such a master tactician it's always a chess match I think you got to change the rhythm of the game at different points in the game and there's lots of ways you can change the rhythm of the game sometimes it's a timeout or a substitution sometimes it's changing your ball screen cover could be the pace that you play with there's many ways you can do it but you have to change it can't play the same all the time Sims the switch on to Boston driving on Boston and draws the foul just the second on Aaliyah Boston here tonight Boston one rebound from a double double but this is what La does well they're second in the league and drawing fouls so they're very much a downhill get you in isolation look to attack and that's Odyssey Sims game she averaged 17 points on a hardship in Dallas here she's averaging just under 10 points a game last week Sims was back in Dallas here playing for the Sparks put up 26 and [Applause] 10 so the 11-year vet more than capable of nights like this they to had some momentum there a five-point lead it's been responded to a four-point run by the [Music] Sparks Ark be watch by nurse Clark on the drive Clark hangs and Bs it home so much better going downhill and when she goes to the right and she gets her hips equal or past her Defender really can't stop her Jackson turning on Lexi hle shot too strong and if he fumble the rebound really good 45 degre cut by K nurse who was open right here hips and shoulders pass or equal [Applause] trying to establish Lear Ru in there the fever have a couple bodies on her really good switches there good communication by the fever KN clock down to five Sim's going to have to hoist from way outside and once again this one is off of G thought Lexi hle might have gotten that one last instead it's fever ball really good job defensively a couple of switches on mismatches that LA Sparks created on the Indiana Fever defense but the communication is what you're hoping for right there especially from your defense particularly when it's in front of your bench where your bench can help you on thaten Clark Kelsey Mitchell and Leah Boston each sitting on 16 points here so far tonight as Indiana holding on to that slim three-point Advantage Mitchell the switch on to Lee here is Clark launching Box by nurse [Applause] Sims using that Steven screen she snakes behind it and she creates this mismatch for azire Stevens it's a really well-designed play by Kurt Miller and Indiana likes to ice those ball screens on the side of the floor on the one of the sides so they're trying to keep the ball on the same side when there's that much space to snake behind you put a lot of pressure on the defense in the second level Mitch now to switch on to stepen putting on the moves MIT on the drive drops it for [Applause] Smith they were still shooting over 50% from the floor haven't been able to shake the [Applause] Sparks inside for Jackson poked Away by Mitchell wheeler giving Chase Jackson way too strong s has it on the other end nurse is open that three ball won't fall now it's wheeler turning on the Jets wheeler go coast to coast and Wheeler drawing the foul that's kind of a signature Erica Wheeler play we haven't seen a whole lot of this year obviously playing lesser minutes with Caitlyn Clark now in the mix but when you talk about Erica wheeler in her prime that's it right there yeah this is a a downhill driver right and she's going to slice the court right here and put some pressure on Kia nurse when they're coming at you full speed especially when you have that kind of speed it's really tough to contain and Wheeler knocks down the first look like just six minutes in that win over Dallas on Sunday second Fest of the Season played over half the game in Chicago of a matchup base decision for Christy sides wheeler wanted two Boston the offensive rebound thought about going back up out to Clark Clark on the fake Clark on the drive behind the back to Boston extra pass it's wheeler put it on the Highlight re oh the unselfishness from the fever on that play giving up good looks for Great Looks Indiana back up five and nurse with a silencer he a nurse three triples Clark trying to answer you bet so good this game has kind of felt stuck in second gear for a lot of it but we are starting to break out of that here as Sims on the drive and draws the [Applause] foul watch the spacing on this play right here Clark sees all nine players she drops it behind her back one more by Boston a wide openen triple and Erica wheeler hits her 11th triple of the Season Sims misses on the other end CLK with 19.7 assists six rebounds it's amazing how she's gotten to the point where this kind of night is almost what you expect from her playing at such a high [Applause] [Music] level they run Caitlyn off that Iverson action that's an action they like to run for Kelson Mitchell [Applause] there weaving away inside and is called for a carry that's all La needs to do is keep putting some game pressure on Indiana right you want to be there in the last couple of possessions try to forge some slippage by the fever especially when you've lost seven out of eight and you're trying to keep your team in a confident level to finish off the season Boston back for Clark a good look at it good clean look there for Caitlyn Clark who's three of eight from the three-point line here tonight fever have hit six threes Clark's hit three of them but the fever do get a two for one out of [Applause] [Music] it Sims whips it over to barell who's open can't connect on the three and 10 seconds for Indiana to try to Pusher there we go trying to get the ball from Clark does get it toer Clark back for samelson and the fever don't get a look couple really nice defensive possessions there for the spars to close out the third but it's the the fourth quarter of action tyres Salton has liked what he's seen so far from his fever counterparts the a lot of work to do here to try to nail down their 18th win of the Season whistle off the ball going against the sparks in a post up trying to defend Aaliyah Boston who's really battling in there for position wheeler getting some extra minutes here today I think the acceleration by Indiana here in the second half has been better in their quarter Court action dtis fading firing good defense there by ER Hami that's three straight defensive possessions where the fever haven't gotten a good [Applause] look oh that scissor action's tough the guard what a take by barell another Miss at The Rim by the spark they've missed a lot of shots at The Rim CLK trying to split the double Clark driving on barell hangs and can't get it to go at The Rim AR CL she was fouled couple misses team piece here at The Rim to start the fourth quarter look at the mismatch inside Yu is being guarded by Mitchell and Clark and Burell knocks down a three and we're back to a point Sparks have just not gone away they've had an answer for every Indiana Mini run here so far tonight and this offense has been a little out of sink at times Boston spinning inside right around McDonald beautiful move such a good Twan game nobody in the league runs more two-man game than Clark and [Applause] Boston Clark L inside oh difficult pass pass somehow got it there to Boston she was blocked underneath watch how quick Aaliyah Boston is in making this move on the Block she's going to turn away from the help the defense comes McDonald rotates over just good awareness of where she is catching the basketball it's been Boston's best game out of the Olympic break 18 points 12 rebounds their 12th double double it's been her most productive right but I think she's played well all along I mean she may not have put the points up because Mitchell and Clark have done the bulk of the scoring Lexi Hall's averaging better than 10 points after the break but that doesn't diminish the value that aah Boston brings and her ability to run the floor play one-on-one on the Block demand a double good screening action and to pass the basketball out of that high post area Beaver hit with a moving screen barell off balance can't finish [Applause] inside Clark seeing two bodies nearly every possession here lately in the back courts little frustration there from Clark and Mitchell is bumped on the drive McDonald called with the foul Kelsey Mitchell has been good in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock especially when she Sprints the lane hard and she's been really good in the last 10 seconds cuz she can get a bucket on anybody Clark working on McDonald who gives it a swipe Clark step back hits a throw five triples Caitlyn go ahead and shoot till your arm falls off and Mitchell knocks that one away here comes Clark going the other way Clark going behind the back oh it's Boston and and one [Applause] back so Caitlyn Clark with a couple of signature moments here tonight and that is her 12th game with 20 points five rebounds and five assists which ties Brianna Stewart for the most ever in a season she's been really close to getting there in numerous of her recent games let me correct my myself it's four triples for Caitlyn not [Applause] five Austin misses on the free throw Indiana has their largest lead here of the second [Applause] half they look the direction of their veteran Hami who skips across courts nurse with a shot clock down to two nurse will she get it off in time just does it's a shot clock violation a really good D High hands long close out community not overh helping guarding your own really good Kurt Miller wants to talk it over because she's so good at creating separation to get into the rhythm of it and that is her ability off the bounds the way she drives Defenders back the way she creates separation Mitchell pulling up not too strong that would have been Clark's 10th assist he's just one assist three rebound shy of a triple double keeper have far more important things at hand here trying to secure their 18th win of the season on to possession of six Place Hami rolling runs into hole shot too strong Stevens with the rebound and she is fouled on the putb it's a good job by azer Stevens to stick with it but it's a really good job by Lexi Hull to stay vertical at The Rim Lexi Hall does not need the basketball nor a play run for her to have an impact on the fever winning and we've seen that since the Olympic break she's been fantastic for those of you tuning in for the USL match between Spokane velocity and Union Omaha you will be able to find it streaming free on the CBS Sports app or at CBS sports.com cbssn as soon as it starts and we'll get you out there immediately after the conclusion of this one couple free throws for azer Stevens and a six-point lead with just over 6 minutes to go here from Indianapolis youber have won nine of their last 10 in this building Clark feeding a little behind Boston and it's a turnover Here Comes Sims with a three on two sims taking it right up the middle now it's Indiana with numbers and Clark was space to roam Clark sets up hole and connects on that three Smith with the rebound oh pretty Spin and Smith gets it to go so tough an excellent offensive rebounder for Indiana Christy side's really Laing the play of Nelissa Smith the last couple of games saying what she has done has been exactly what we need of her barell catch and shoot oh way too strong but the bank is open it's a good roll and replace by La simple action this Indiana overh helps and leaves the three-point shooter open MIT that's a deep two but she connects she's now too shy of 20 we needen stops on the defensive end and they lost Hami and and one a quiet night for dear that'll be 12 for her and her second trip to the free throw line she's a player for La that averages five free throw attempts a game not often your best year as a pro comes in your 10th season at year 30 but that has been the case for the 30-year-old de' Hami averaging 18 points per game that's a career high assist and rebounds too sorry Pat every year she's added something to her game and she's gotten better in so many facets of the game she has a very high motor Smith trying to feed it in Kelsey Mitchell kicked Away by Hami hamy talked about her three Onre experience in Paris winning that bronze medal and how they started off 0 and three and then ended up getting in the metal round it was really a remarkable run by them and her and her teammates to win that bronze nice job there by Lexi hold to keep possession there for Indiana shot clock down to three Mitchell ho and had it halfway down the way her shots been falling you just expect that to go Sims difficult look from the mid-range looking for a 10th assist gets reinforcements and Melissa Smith is fouled now if this were Fe assists fortunately in American pro basketball you don't get him on the free throw you know what I I've said this before it's called a coach's assist when Christy sides and her staff go to film and they watch plays like that she doesn't get a an assist on the stat but in the coaches film roam it counts so you're doing what you're supposed to be doing you're getting the ball to the right place and Smith knocks down the first a 60% free throw shooter this year Alissa Smith and triple double watch is very much on for Caitlyn Clark right now nine assists eight rebounds to go along with 22 points [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Carell bouncing here for Hami right into Smith maybe got away with steps no she didn't after 11 first half turnovers by the fever they've only turned it over five times here in the second so they did clean that up that was a big problem especially in the first quarter Indiana has been much more secure with their passes here oh back for Boston who got 20 points here tonight Smith lost the handle shot clock down to Smith wrenched away Ray barell comes up with a [Applause] steal Hami attacking Boston spin move floats it up gets it to go and a foul for dear Hami so a three-point play with a chance to pull the Sparks back within three Hami at 63 taken on 65 using her quickness and her footwork to go around you're never going to see de' hamy take a play off she is a hustler she works on both ends of the floor she's been a really good leader for Kurt Miller's team this season well I think a lot of teams at this point in the season you're out of the playoff race maybe if you don't have a dear hambi you're not battling like this that's the maturity that comes with having competed in this league like there's a lot of competitors here and sees a vision about this culture in the franchise she speaks very highly of her teammates and's had a nice second half here8 in the second half 16 on the evening Mark Boston here is Smith on the drive Smith lays it in see that's aah Boston seeing the play before it happens it's a really nice job of getting Smith and point to the bucket go Smith getting going here in the fourth quarter Sims on the take and the Finish here's the relentlessness of Kurt Miller's young group here now a lot of veterans on the floor right now they relish this roll of spoiler here down the stretch Clark the switch on to talic Clark lets it fry and a loose ball foul going against the Sparks under three minutes left to play the lead is three we were looking for win number five in a row back court has been the best in the league since the Olympic break as Kelsey Mitchell and kton card lead the league in scoring since that break and Coach side said after that Dallas game a lot of their success stems from the fact that the two of them provide freedom for one another they draw so much attention it gives one another open looks on the court and right down there are both knocking down those shots at such a high rate in addition to playing at a high Pace in scoring in transition also today it was announced that Caitlyn Clark was named the Eastern Conference player of the month for August but guys she was on his pregame saying that she believes Kelsey should have won that award she felt like she deserved it yeah it could have gone Kelsey thank you either direction and I think Clark and Mitchell were probably the two leading candidates for that award Duo has combined for 40 points 11 assists and 12 rebounds here tonight Smith off the mark on her first free throw so this stays a one possession game at least for the time being well the last couple of games Indiana has relied on their defense to close out games right and they' they've scored back-to-back games of 100 points but it's been their defense that has been a difference in this situation in the game right here let's see what they can get a stop Carell catch and shoot off the mark on a three F tipped it behind her here is Stevenson firing away that shot won't fall Smith touched it last a third opportunity coming here for the Sparks user have rebounded it well here today they're plus nine on the glass not getting it at least on this possession when they needed it good job by Lexi Hull to slide through all that action F but back up Top Hand be thought about the three and TR I'm surprised hamy didn't just pull up and shoot that [Applause] 15-footer Austin might have had Mitchell there for a moment and said she'll back her way in backing in on Stevens she was blocked and fouled look like Stevens might have been reaching around earlier in the play didn't get called for that I mean look at the clear out for aiyah Boston so they go middle third nothing there aiyah Boston patiently Works her way inside she's got her hand on her waist the whole way that block up top might have been clean but the foul was for the other hand that's a really good atto by [Applause] Indiana with her 12th double double of the season and that tops the 11 she had a year [Applause] ago and a big night for here tonight 22 points 13 [Applause] rebounds Terrell cut off there by Boston inside for Hami sent back Nelissa Smith closes the door at The Rim every action contested by the fever that's the kind of Defense def that Christy sides is looking for and then Nelissa Smith erases it all at The [Applause] Rim still 13 on the shot clock here for La nurse drives inside off balance shot won't fall and that is Clark's ninth rebound she's an assist and a rebound shy but that time turns it over Sims picks her pockets and Sims lays it in with a foul it's interesting that the uh whistle comes from the trail official that doesn't have space to see between there CLK gets picked right here the quick hands of Odyssey [Applause] Sims what a major swing here as Indiana has the ball under two minutes to go trying to go up three possessions and instead it's a one possession game 150 remaining here from gainbridge Fieldhouse Beaver are 13 and six this season in the clutch they have been good in these moments Mitchell will take it herself on the drive Stevens got a piece from behind a lot of these Baseline out of bounds their tendency for the fever is Kelsey Mitchell so keep your eye on Mitchell inbound Mitchell Mitchell whips it back here's a Boston three not too [Applause] strong Cross Court nurse is left open she can't tie it good look there for Kia Nur who's hit three of them out there here tonight this near sellout crowd on their feets Mitchell shot clock down the five doesn't like it Boston Mitchell H gets inside and another impact play late here for Lexi Hull who's fouled just been her story Lexi Hull she has been outstanding like I said earlier she doesn't need the ball she doesn't need a play run for her but she will make a winning play great hustle to come up with that loose rebound how often here out of the Olympic break have we called her name late in games it's a rebound it's a defensive stop it's a steal it's a three-point shot mean she's been 17 for 25 from the three-point line since the break that's since June the beaver could hold on here they would match Minnesota for the best record out of the Olympic break at s- one yeah both teams are 8-2 in the last 10 they're the only two teams Minnesota and Indiana still some work to do here 55 seconds and a five-point lead for the [Applause] fever nurse off the screen bouncing for Hami too far behind her Clark cut a piece she'll get credited with the steel got to play D right here Kurt Miller electing not the foul here I like the strategy play D get the rebound push up the floor call timeout and Advance the ball Boston shot clock down to three drives her way inside muscles to the rim and that might be the back breaker so good time and score recognition they run the clock down nobody has stopped Boston in the post all night and 22 could get the rebounds maybe kind of funnel her to the rim if you could be a triple dou she's been close a couple of times right and she does have one already she'll have a shot here if the fever can get a stop this play is taking too long I think Indi not electing to call timeout and Advance the ball trying to dribble out the clock a little bit Caitlyn Clark will go to the free throw line by the way all the accolades for Caitlyn Clark and all deservedly so one that doesn't get talked about a lot of free throw shooting 90% on the year that's fourth in the WNBA not surprising but impressive still [Applause] and it's back to a three possession game so la will use their reset timeout here again this is just an advancement of the ball no huddle Clark still a rebound shy of the triple double running the same play it's up it won't go Clark pulls it down and this building knows what that means Kelsey Mitchell's going what happened oh it's a triple double for Caitlyn what a what a reaction by [Applause] Kelsey well how about the knowledgeable fans in this building they burst out of their seats like it was a game winner and Caitlyn Clark has a triple double it's the second ever for a rookie and they both belong to her and Indiana has now won seven of eight out of the Olympic break they're 18 and 16 sole possession of sixth place and here's