Mitchell, Boston Lead Fever Past Wings as Indiana Holds On Without Clark

With Caitlin Clark sidelined once again, the Indiana Fever leaned on their current stars to close out a hard-fought 94–86 win over the Dallas Wings at American Airlines Center.

Kelsey Mitchell erupted for 32 points and seven assists, while Aliyah Boston added 21 points in a game that tested the Fever’s composure late. Natasha Howard came up clutch for Indiana, recording 15 points and 13 rebounds, including key baskets after Dallas briefly took the lead with under 5:30 to go.

On the second night of a back-to-back following Thursday's loss to the Sparks, Indiana responded with poise, improving to 8–8 overall and 3–4 without Clark.

Friday’s matchup—relocated to American Airlines Center to accommodate the anticipated showdown between Clark and Wings star Paige Bueckers—still made history. Despite Clark sitting out, Dallas sold out the 20,000-seat arena, setting a franchise attendance record.

Fever coach Christie Sides shook up the lineup, starting Aari McDonald to inject speed and energy. It worked instantly. Indiana stormed to a 19–3 lead, dominating in transition and half-court sets while holding Dallas without a field goal for over five minutes. The Fever shot a blistering 76% in the first quarter and led by as many as 23.

But the cushion didn’t last. A sloppy end to the second quarter allowed Bueckers to drain a buzzer-beating three, cutting the halftime deficit to 13. Former Fever forward NaLyssa Smith sparked a Wings run in the third, trimming the lead to three with a basket and and-one.

Mitchell and Boston responded with eight quick points to regain control, though the Wings kept pressing. Smith’s offensive rebound in the final seconds of the third set up a floater from Aziaha James, and the Fever entered the fourth with a narrow 74–69 edge.

Indiana held firm down the stretch, powered by big plays from their veterans, and now turns its focus to the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Tuesday against Minnesota before returning home for a five-game stand.