On a stirring evening for Indiana Fever fans, high-flying offense and lock-down defense combined to deliver a resounding 102–83 triumph over the Dallas Wings. Coming into the matchup with an 11–10 record, the Fever showed they can bring consistently high output on both ends of the court, thanks to double-digit scoring from a remarkable quintet: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard, and Kelsey Mitchell. Their contributions, in concert, were vital in securing this convincing win.
1. Opening Act: A Tight First Quarter
From the moment the game tipped off, both teams came out firing. The first quarter played out like a heavyweight matchup—lead changes, intense back-and-forth, and each side trading momentum blows. It was Kelsey Mitchell who first vaulted the Fever forward, dropping nine points in the frame. Following close behind was Caitlin Clark, who chipped in an impressive seven points during the stanza. The Fever managed to edge ahead by the end of those opening ten minutes, narrowly claiming a 28–27 advantage. It was a competitive start that hinted at the high-scoring affair soon to come.
2. Q2 Surge: Offense Escalates, Defense Clamps
Once the second quarter began, Indiana shifted into another gear altogether. Their offense clicked seamlessly—nowhere more evident than in their 36-point output during the frame. This offensive explosion was anchored by 10 points from Natasha Howard, seven from Aliyah Boston, and six from Sophie Cunningham. Underpinning their offensive surge was an equally dominant defensive performance: the Fever limited the Wings to a mere 15 points in Q2. By halftime, Indiana held firm with a resounding 64–42 lead. The 22-point margin underscored a half where Indiana refused to relent, instead imposing their game on Dallas through a combination of sharp scoring and pinpoint defensive attention.
3. Historic First Half Output
The first 20 minutes brought with them a slew of franchise-best and league-wide marks. Indiana’s 64-point half set a new season benchmark for the team, eclipsing their prior first-half high of 63 points, which dates back to a 2016 win against the Liberty. That total not only surpassed the season’s best for the Fever, but it also stood alone as the highest-scoring half in the WNBA at that point in the year—overcoming another dominant performance by Minnesota against the Sparks, when the Lynx accrued 58 points in one half in mid-June.
To top it off, the 36-point spurt in the second quarter also rose to the top echelon of single-quarter outputs—not just for the Fever, but in modern franchise history. It tied for the third-highest scoring quarter for Indiana, matching quarters back on May 10, 2022, and June 16, 2018, which similarly saw 36-point ramps.
4. Caitlin Clark: More Than a Scorer
All-star rookie Caitlin Clark once again took control as the game progressed—her impact extending far beyond shooting. She finished with 14 points and an astounding 13 assists, securing her fifth double-double of the season and the 19th of her still-young career. Through her floor leadership, distribution, and scoring efficiency, Clark orchestrated the Fever’s winning performance.
5. Kelsey Mitchell: Consistency Personified
Not to be outdone, Kelsey Mitchell slammed down a 20-point effort—her seventh 20+ point game this season. Maintaining her reputation as one of the league’s most consistent scorers, Mitchell extended her incredible streak, marking at least 10 points in 21 consecutive games. That level of steady offensive production is a major asset for any team’s game plan.
6. Sophie Cunningham: Milestone Maker
Sophie Cunningham added another memorable feather to her cap in the second quarter, nailing her career 1,500th point. The milestone came via a dynamic, drive-from-the-wing layup that was opportunely assisted by rookie reserve Aari McDonald. Cunningham closed the evening with a solid 13-point tally.
7. Aliyah Boston: Rebounding History in the Making
In the paint, young All-Star Aliyah Boston was equally productive. On the boards, she secured at least two more defensive rebounds—her 570th career defensive rebound—which propelled her past Candice Dupree into sixth all-time in franchise history. This steady accumulation reinforces Boston’s profile as a frontrunner in rebounding and defensive effort for Indiana.
8. Bench Strength and Milestones: Dantas & McDonald
Other notable notes surfaced early in the first quarter. Veteran forward Damiris Dantas picked up her 350th rebound in WNBA play. Meanwhile, guard Aari McDonald rose past 250 career rebounds, marking her own statistical career milestone.
9. Team Output: Offense and Passing Prowess
The Fever finished the night tied for the highest single-game point total of the season with 102 points—matching a previous game on June 14, when they dropped exactly 102 on the Liberty. The passing clinic was equally noteworthy: Indiana racked up 30 assists, tying the franchise record, first set back on June 29, 2019—though it’s worth noting that record included an overtime stretch, while this game was regulation-only.
10. Q3 & Q4: Dominance Maintained
After the electricity of the second quarter, the Fever showed no signs of letting up. In the third quarter, they reasserted their dominance, keeping their margin in the 20-point realm. This time, scoring was evenly distributed: fully six different players got in on the act with points. Indiana didn’t simply lean on one or two stars—they demonstrated team-wide scoring depth. In the final frame, the Fever rounded things out with 18 more points, effectively closing the book on the contest and cruising to a 102–83 victory.
11. Statistical Takeaways & Franchise History
Taken together, the performance bristled with historic meaning:
64 points in a half: New top-half scoring output for the Fever in 2025, surpassing their 2016 first-half high.
League-leader distinction: That 64 was not just a team record; it led the WNBA across all teams for highest first-half output in the season.
36-point quarter: Tied for third-highest scoring quarter in franchise annals (matching 2022 vs. Minnesota and 2018 vs. Atlanta).
30 assists: Capped off a passing showcase, tying the all-time franchise record—this time without needing overtime.
102 points: A season-high in total offensive output, matching the Liberty game of June 14.
12. Individual Scoreboard Highlights
Caitlin Clark: 14 points, 13 assists—her fifth of this season, and 19th career double-double.
Kelsey Mitchell: 20 points—her 21st straight game scoring at least 10 points, reinforcing her as a cornerstone scorer.
Sophie Cunningham: 13 points and career milestone 1,500th point during the second quarter.
Aliyah Boston: Contributed scoring and rebounding, including climbing to sixth all-time in franchise defensive rebounds.
Natasha Howard: 10 points in the hot second quarter alone.
Damiris Dantas: 350 career rebounds.
Aari McDonald: Pushed past 250 career rebounds.
13. Why This Matter
The game signaled a potent juncture in the Fever’s season. With four key players scoring in double digits and balanced offensive contributions throughout, Indiana showcased a level of depth that has often been missing in their recent campaigns. More than just the statistics though, it was the dominance in the second quarter that revealed a team capable of taking over games—in scoring flurries and defensive shutdowns alike.
The historical milestones—franchise scoring records in halves and quarters, assist benchmarks, and season-high point totals—aren’t merely trivia. They demonstrate a team operating with cohesion, firepower, and timing. That same team chemistry appears to be blending rising-star light and veteran savvy, from Clark and Boston to Cunningham and Mitchell. That synergy bodes well not just for present victories, but for keeping Indiana firmly competitive as the regular season progresses.
14. What’s Next
Indiana’s 102-point showcase has set the stage for an important stretch on the schedule: a pair of road contests that could prove pivotal.
1. Vs. Connecticut Sun – This comes up next on Tuesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET—but what makes it unusual is the location: despite squaring off with the Sun, the game is set at Boston’s TD Garden. Regardless of venue, Connecticut is a perennial playoff contender in the Eastern Conference, so it will test whether Indiana’s recent dominance translates away from home and into hostile territory.
2. @ New York Liberty – Just 24 hours later—on Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET—the Fever take on New York at the Barclays Center. The Liberty are another East heavyweight, with talent across all positions. Indiana will need to bring the same intensity, ball movement, and strategic focus to maintain their momentum.
15. Summary and Forward Look
This 102–83 victory was more than a win—it was a statement. The Fever clearly have offensive depth, defensive poetry, and clutch playmakers capable of erasing leads and building ones. Stats aside, this team now has confidence that they can post record-setting halves and then close the deal late.
If they can travel to Boston and New York and stick to this discipline—strong starts, heavy distribution, no letdowns in Q3 or Q4—this stretch of the season may define their identity. What looked like a middle-of-the-pack squad now leans toward a team that can compete against Eastern Conference elites—and maybe even threaten for a deep postseason run.
Final Box Score Notes (Condensed)
Final Score: Indiana Fever 102, Dallas Wings 83
Scoring:
Q1: 28–27 (Fever leads)
Q2: 36–15 (Fever extends lead to 64–42)
Q3: Indiana maintains 20+ point cushion
Q4: 18 points to close the game
Standout Performers:
Clark: 14 pts, 13 ast (5th double-double of season)
Mitchell: 20 pts (21 consecutive 10+-pt games)
Cunningham: 13 pts, reached 1,500th career point
Boston: Double-digit score plus rebounding milestone
Howard: 10 points in Q2
Dantas & McDonald: Career rebound milestones
Team Milestones:
64 points in a half: franchise and WNBA season high
36-point quarter: ties franchise third-highest
102 points: season-high point total
30 assists: tied franchise game record
Historical Standings:
Boston moves past Candice Dupree for 6th on Fever all-time defensive boards
This is Indiana’s first triple-digit game of 2025
Upcoming Games:
Jul 15 at 8:00 PM ET: @ Connecticut Sun (TD Garden)
Jul 16 at 7:30 PM ET: @ New York Liberty (Barclays Center)
The Final Word
Indiana’s performance on all fronts—from ball movement to aggressive defense, from sharpshooting to rebounding dominance—hints at their untapped potential this season. They’ve matched or exceeded numerous yardsticks for success: explosive points, assist benchmarks, and historical consistency. If this win proves anything, it’s that the Fever have the depth, drive, and direction to power through the grueling mid-season stretch ahead—and position themselves as a team that can surprise and succeed when it matters most.
Now, eyes turn to the back-to-back road stretch as the Fever look to take this momentum into hostile arenas, and continue their climb up the Eastern Conference standings.
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