Indiana Fever defeated Mercury Phoenix 95-86, as Caitlin Clark recorded his fifth consecutive double-double

Indiana Fever rebounded from a disheartening defeat to the Washington Mystics with a triumph against Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night, their second consecutive victory over the Mercury. 

But the Mercury didn't make things simple. Phoenix Mercury began the fourth quarter with a 16-4 run, closing the gap to four points despite missing Diana Taurasi (injured) and Brittney Griner (who exited in the second quarter due to an injury and did not return). The Fever won 95-86 thanks to strong efforts from four of their five players. 

Kahleah Copper scored 36 points, 20 of which came in the fourth quarter, to help the Mercury (12-11) narrow their third-quarter deficit from 31 points to just 10 points. Mitchell put Indiana (10–14) ahead 81–50 with 1:55 left in the third quarter. But the Mercury answered with 17 points of their own, and Sophie Cunningham's 3-pointer to close off the game at 81-67. Copper scored a shot in the lane with 5:02 left to get Phoenix within 85-76.

Caitlin Clark recorded her fifth consecutive double-double with 20 points, 13 assists, and 28 points from Kelsey Mitchell. With 1:33 remaining, Mitchell received her 13th assist from Clark, tying the franchise record, and going on to make a 3-pointer to give the team a 92-83 lead. Of Copper's 36 points, 23 came in the last 20 minutes of play.

Phoenix had already won three straight games

For Indiana, Aliyah Boston contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds, and NaLyssa Smith contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds. Phoenix had already won three straight games when Cunningham scored 21 points. With eight seconds remaining in the first half, Clark made a three-pointer, giving Indiana Fever a 55-35 lead as they finished the half on a 10-2 run. In the first half, Mitchell scored seventeen points, Clark scored fifteen, and Boston contributed ten.

The season series victory over the Mercury is the first for the Fever since 2016. August 16 is Indiana's first game following the Olympic break. The team still has one more match versus Phoenix.