Fever Fall! Mitchell's 29 Not Enough vs. Mercury: Playoff Hopes Dwindle?

Fever Stung in Phoenix: Playoff Picture Clouded

The Indiana Fever's playoff aspirations took a hit Tuesday night as they fell to the Phoenix Mercury 85-79. Despite a stellar 29-point performance from Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever couldn't overcome a decisive Mercury run at the end of the first half. The loss drops Indiana to 21-20, clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the WNBA standings.

Mitchell came out firing, scoring 15 points in the first quarter and carrying the Fever offense. However, Phoenix turned the tide with a 15-3 run in the final 2:43 of the second quarter, building a lead they would not relinquish. This pivotal stretch proved to be the difference-maker in the game.

Key Moments and Performances

• Kelsey Mitchell's Heroics: Mitchell's 29 points led all scorers. She shot 11-for-20 from the field, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.
• Supporting Cast: Lexie Hull contributed 18 points and five rebounds, while Aliyah Boston added 11 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
• Mercury's Response: Alyssa Thomas paced Phoenix with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Former Fever player DeWanna Bonner chipped in 19 points off the bench.
• Clark vs. Bonner: Tensions flared between Caitlin Clark and DeWanna Bonner, adding another layer of intensity to the game.

The Fever now return home to face the Chicago Sky on Friday, followed by a road game against the Mystics in Baltimore on Sunday. They conclude their regular season schedule by hosting the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, September 9. With three games remaining, Indiana's magic number to clinch a playoff berth remains at three.

The Fever will need to regroup quickly and find a way to close out games if they hope to secure their spot in the playoffs. The competition is fierce, and every game counts as the regular season winds down.