Fever Recap: Indy Jumps Out, Holds Off Phoenix 98-89 Behind Clark & Mitchell

 Fever Recap: Indy Jumps Out, Holds Off Phoenix 98-89 Behind Clark & Mitchell 

Clarks' Red Hot 1st Half Leads to Fever Win

By Deon Cash 

The Indiana Fever started their season back tonight and Caitlin Clark was ready for every bit of it, as she lead the Indiana Faver to a huge early lead en route to a nice home win tonight against the Phoenix Mercury.

This was the first game back since the Olympic break for Indiana. 

While the Fever had 3 All-Stars, they had no players make the Olympic roster, which meant a two week break. 

In a packed house at Gainbridge Fieldhouse the Fever took that early momentum and turned it into a huge early lead, as Clark got rolling early and often. 

The lead was as big as (26) 52-24 at one point and a 54-37 advantage at half as Clark and NaLyssa Smith had really dominated in the early stages.   The Fever scored 26 of their 54 points in the paint. 

Clark had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists at half. 

Phoenix, sitting in the #6 spot in playoff play, would get it going early in the 2nd half behind Olympic hoopers Kaleah Copper and Britney Griner, cutting the lead to single digits.

They would continue to hit 3-pointers to actually take the lead (62-61). Lexy Hull, who had been silent up until that point, hit a key 3 to switch the momentum and Samuelson hit a buzzer beater 3 to give the Fever the lead (73-65) that they would never relinquish.  

Kelsey Mitchell would come through in the 4th quarter, time and time again, on her way to a 28 point night. 

The Indiana Fever were set up with a rigorous schedule to start, but now have found their footing and could be headed to a nice 2nd half of the season, which could include a playoff berth. 

With the win the Fever move to 12-15, sitting firmly in the 7 spot. With the loss Phoenix falls to 14-13. It is noted that Indiana has the tiebreaker over Phoenix after winning all 3 matchups against the Mercury. 

 Pacers G Tyrese Haliburton at the Fever game

Diana Taurasi also played in this game, as she sat out the last meeting due to injury. Taurasi is the only Olympic athlete with 6 gold medals in Basketball. 

Indiana will now face Seattle, who has been a top 4 team in the West this season. They will host the Storm on Sunday at 3:30pm. 

Follow S.E.Live365 for the duration of the season as we watch the Indiana Fever and the WNBA.