A Dominant Performance by Mitchell Propels Fever Past Short-Handed Sky in Chicago Showdown
On a summer Sunday afternoon at the iconic United Center, the Indiana Fever clashed once again with their Central Division rivals, the Chicago Sky, in a game that, while missing two of the WNBA’s brightest young stars, did not lack intensity or narrative. Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s All-Star rookie guard, sat out for the fourth consecutive game due to a nagging groin injury, while Angel Reese, the Sky’s breakout forward and rebounding machine, remained sidelined with a persistent back ailment. Yet the absence of these marquee names did little to cool the fiery competition between these two franchises that have grown increasingly familiar—and competitive—with each other this season.
The star of the day was without question Kelsey Mitchell, who showcased her offensive prowess with a jaw-dropping performance that included a barrage of seven 3-pointers and a game-high 35 points. Her scoring outburst wasn’t just eye-popping—it was historic. With this game, Mitchell notched the 100th 20-point game of her career, second-most in Indiana Fever history behind the legendary Tamika Catchings. Additionally, she recorded her ninth 30-point game, continuing to build on a résumé that’s cementing her as one of the league’s elite scoring guards.
Mitchell was more than just a scorer; she contributed across the board with six assists and three steals, and her defensive pressure helped the Fever capitalize on 23 Chicago turnovers, which they converted into a whopping 31 points. These transition buckets, fast break opportunities, and timely shot-making proved to be the difference in a game where momentum swung wildly.
Backing Mitchell’s stellar play were a number of strong supporting performances, most notably from Indiana’s All-Star center Aliyah Boston. The former No. 1 overall pick put together an all-around display, contributing 14 points, grabbing 11 boards, and dishing out six assists in yet another example of her growing versatility and leadership on the floor. Bench play also proved critical, as Makayla Timpson added 14 points off the pine, providing energy and efficiency in crucial moments, while Aari McDonald chipped in 10 points of her own.
The Fever’s latest victory pushed their record to 14-12 and continued a season-long dominance over Chicago. Indiana has now claimed three wins over the Sky, each by double digits, further cementing their upper hand in the head-to-head battle. For a team that has faced ups and downs amid Clark’s inconsistent availability, this win symbolized how resilient and adaptable the roster can be when their stars are sidelined.
On the other side of the court, the Sky, now sitting at 7-18, once again found themselves struggling to finish games despite spurts of competitive fire. With Angel Reese unavailable for the second straight contest, the team had to look elsewhere for inspiration, and Rachel Banham stepped up in a big way. The sharpshooting guard nailed six shots from beyond the arc en route to a season-high 26 points, keeping Chicago within striking distance for stretches of the game. Banham’s confident perimeter play offered flashes of optimism for a Sky team searching for consistency during a transitional season.
Kia Nurse followed with 14 points, including key baskets that helped close the gap in the second half, while Rebecca Allen added 13 points of her own. The Brazilian rookie Kamilla Cardoso recorded another double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, continuing her quiet but steady development as a frontline contributor.
Despite the Sky’s grit, they were forced to play from behind for most of the afternoon. The game began with a promising start for Chicago, but a massive Fever surge late in the opening quarter effectively flipped the script. Indiana closed the first period on an 18-2 run, catalyzed by Mitchell’s offensive spark and suffocating defense that forced nine turnovers. By the end of the first quarter, Indiana had jumped out to a 26-13 lead, and the energy on the Fever bench was palpable.
Chicago tried to respond in the second quarter, attempting to chip away at the deficit, but Indiana’s balanced attack ensured that the lead never dipped below single digits for long. By halftime, the Fever led 51-39, and while the Sky had shown signs of life, it was clear they would need a big third quarter to shift momentum.
And for a brief moment, it looked like that might happen.
To start the third, Chicago came out energized, pushing the pace and playing aggressive defense. A pair of jumpers from Kia Nurse trimmed the Indiana lead to just one point, 56-55, midway through the quarter. The Fever suddenly looked vulnerable for the first time all afternoon. But just when it seemed the tide might turn, Mitchell answered the call. She drilled a critical three-pointer and followed it up with a driving layup, extending the lead and silencing the home crowd. Two consecutive baskets from Timpson pushed the margin back to 10, and the Fever reestablished control.
The quarter concluded with a momentum-shifting moment as Lexie Hull banked in a buzzer-beater, stretching the Fever’s lead to 75-61 heading into the final period.
In the fourth, Indiana extended their advantage to 16 points early, seemingly cruising toward victory. But Chicago, desperate to salvage their afternoon, mounted one last surge. Banham and Allen led the push, and before long, the Sky had whittled the lead down to just six points with under five minutes remaining. The home fans rose to their feet, sensing the possibility of a comeback.
Once again, Mitchell stepped up when her team needed her most. She buried a dagger three-pointer to swing the momentum back in Indiana’s favor and then knocked down a pair of free throws to keep Chicago at bay. That mini-run was enough to seal the game, as Indiana closed things out confidently and improved to a game above .500.
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Mitchell’s Rise Through the Fever Record Books
Kelsey Mitchell’s big night didn’t just boost the Fever’s playoff hopes—it elevated her standing in franchise lore. With 100 career 20-point games now under her belt, she trails only Tamika Catchings in that category, a name that looms large in Indiana basketball history. Catchings, a Hall of Famer and one of the WNBA’s all-time greats, set the gold standard for what a franchise player should be.
For Mitchell, who has been with the Fever since being drafted second overall in 2018, this season has been a validation of her talent and perseverance. With the arrival of Caitlin Clark, much of the media spotlight shifted to the heralded rookie. But Mitchell has consistently reminded the league that this is still her team and that her ability to lead, score, and defend at a high level remains essential to Indiana’s success.
Beyond the offensive milestones, Mitchell also reached 200 career steals in this game, reinforcing her growth on the defensive end. Long regarded primarily as a scorer, she has transformed into a more complete guard under head coach Christie Sides. Her ability to impact both ends of the floor has made her a valuable veteran presence in a locker room increasingly defined by youth and transition.
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Team Depth Shines Without Clark
Playing without Caitlin Clark has become an unfortunate theme for Indiana this season. The rookie sensation has only suited up for half of the team’s games, and her latest injury has forced head coach Sides to reshuffle lineups and lean on other contributors.
Thankfully for Indiana, that depth has begun to pay dividends.
Aliyah Boston, in particular, has elevated her game during Clark’s absence. Her rebounding, high-post playmaking, and interior scoring have anchored Indiana’s offense in half-court sets. In this game, her 14-11-6 stat line exemplified the kind of multidimensional play the Fever envisioned when they made her the top pick in 2023.
Makayla Timpson’s emergence as a bench spark has also been crucial. Her ability to provide energy, hustle, and efficient scoring allows Indiana to maintain momentum when the starters rest. Similarly, Aari McDonald’s quickness and tenacity at both ends have filled critical gaps during this stretch without Clark.
Collectively, the Fever turned defense into offense by forcing 23 Chicago turnovers. That defensive pressure—from Mitchell, McDonald, Hull, and others—translated into 31 points, a stat that speaks volumes about the team’s intensity and focus.
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Sky Searching for Stability Without Reese
For the Sky, this game continued a troubling trend of inconsistency, exacerbated by the loss of Angel Reese. The rookie has been a revelation in her first professional season, leading the league in double-doubles and providing elite rebounding and interior defense. Without her on the floor, Chicago has struggled to match up physically against larger frontcourts like Indiana’s.
Kamilla Cardoso, while promising, still lacks the experience and polish to fill Reese’s shoes entirely. Her double-double in this game (12 points, 12 rebounds) was a step in the right direction, but the Sky need more from their supporting cast if they’re to stay competitive.
Rachel Banham’s shooting was a bright spot, as was Kia Nurse’s perimeter scoring, but defensive lapses and poor ball security doomed the Sky. Their 23 turnovers weren’t just a statistical blemish—they were the root cause of the game’s outcome. Giving up 31 points off giveaways made it nearly impossible for Chicago to mount a sustained run.
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What’s Next
With this win, the Fever now look ahead to a tough stretch of games that could define their postseason trajectory. While they’ve shown resilience without Clark, her return will be vital if Indiana hopes to climb further in the standings and secure home-court advantage in the playoffs.
For the Sky, the focus must be on health and ball control. Getting Angel Reese back on the court is priority No. 1, but even with her return, the team must clean up its offensive execution and rediscover the defensive tenacity that fueled their early-season promise.
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