Despite missing Clark—who has now missed 13 consecutive games and whose return before the end of the regular season is still uncertain—the Fever started strong. Lexie Hull led the way offensively, going 4-for-4 from the field in the first quarter and scoring 11 of Indiana’s opening 16 points. The Fever shot an impressive 71% from beyond the arc in the opening period, with recent signing Shey Peddy making an immediate impact off the bench, hitting all three of her three-point attempts. By halftime, Hull had totaled 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, keeping Indiana narrowly ahead 52-50 after two quarters.
Minnesota responded in the second quarter with a 9-4 run, trimming the Fever’s lead and forcing head coach Stephanie White to call a timeout to regroup. The Lynx’s Kayla McBride led her team with 16 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Jessica Shepard contributed across the board for Minnesota, leading with 9 rebounds and 10 assists by halftime. The Lynx’s balanced attack and superior rebounding—22 boards to Indiana’s 14—helped them keep pace despite their own injury woes.
Indiana, meanwhile, leaned on depth to compensate for their depleted roster. In addition to Hull and Peddy, Kelsey Mitchell added 13 points and three assists, while Aliyah Boston anchored the paint with three rebounds and two assists. Fever coach Stephanie White, speaking before the game, emphasized the focus on Clark’s long-term health: “The most important thing continues to be that she is 100% when she’s ready to come back. The timing is never ideal, but her long-term health and wellness is the most important thing.”
Looking at the odds, ESPN’s matchup predictor gave the Lynx a 61.7% chance of victory heading into the contest, and live betting lines had Minnesota favored by 2.5 points. Both teams have pivotal games ahead as they jockey for playoff positioning. The Fever’s resilience without Clark and Cunningham—who suffered a season-ending leg injury—has been notable, as they continue to adapt to constant roster changes, as highlighted by Aliyah Boston in a recent interview.
The game was broadcast nationally on Ion and streamed via Fubo, with local radio coverage in Indianapolis. Fans can follow the Fever’s journey as they aim to secure a playoff berth despite adversity. For more live updates, highlights, and analysis, check out the latest at ESPN’s live gamecast and the official WNBA box score.