Kelsey Mitchell’s 29-point performance propelled the Indiana Fever to a hard-fought 101-95 victory over the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday. Caitlin Clark, a standout player, contributed 24 points and seven assists, helping Indiana extend their winning streak to five games. The Scotiabank Arena was dotted with fans sporting Clark’s jerseys in support.
After missing two months due to injury, Brittney Sykes returned to the Tempo lineup, recording 15 points, five assists, and two rebounds. Marina Mabrey, an all-star player for Toronto, scored 22 points, but it wasn’t enough as the team suffered their 11th consecutive loss. Aneesah Morrow, coming off the bench, achieved a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, setting a new franchise record.
Sykes had been sidelined with a left plantar fascia injury sustained in a previous match against the Fever. Toronto struggled in her absence, losing 10 consecutive games. Despite being in contention for a playoff spot earlier, the Tempo now hold the third-worst record in the WNBA, surpassing only the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm, who are already out of playoff contention.
In terms of game highlights, the Indiana Fever, known for their high-scoring offense, lived up to their reputation, scoring 96.2 points per game on average. They dominated the three-point shooting, making 11 out of 25 attempts (44%) and racked up 50 points in the paint. On the other hand, the Tempo, although trailing throughout the game by as much as 17 points, showcased some positive aspects. They excelled in second-chance points with 22 compared to the Fever’s nine, outrebounded Indiana 41-32, and their bench contributed 38 points versus Indiana’s 20.
A crucial moment came when Mabrey sank a three-pointer in the closing seconds of the game, bringing Toronto within four points, but the shot was invalidated by a palming violation call by the referees. The Tempo struggled offensively, converting only 39.1% of their field-goal attempts and 32.4% from three-point range.
Looking ahead, the Indiana Fever will face the Dallas Wings next, while the Toronto Tempo are set to take on the Washington Mystics on Wednesday.