The Indiana Fever, riding high on the euphoria of clinching their first playoff berth since 2016, faced a potential emotional letdown against the last-place Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday.
The game proved to be a rollercoaster, with the Fever looking “a little bit flat” in the first half, according to star guard Caitlin Clark. Despite an 11-turnover first half and a disjointed offensive rhythm, the Fever managed to overcome their slow start. Sparked by Aliyah Boston’s 10 second-half points and NaLyssa Smith’s 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks, they pulled away to secure a 93-86 victory.
Clark, who notched her second career triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, acknowledged the team’s initial struggles. “I’m just not sure if our energy was quite where it needed to be,” she admitted.
Coach Christie Sides echoed Clark’s sentiments, attributing the sluggish start to the emotional high of securing a playoff spot. “The playoff clinch, they were excited and that’s huge for us,” Sides said. “So I think that had a little bit to do with it, but that’s not an excuse.”
The Fever have experienced similar emotional swings throughout the season, often playing down to their opponents after big wins. However, their current five-game winning streak demonstrates their ability to flip the switch when necessary.
Sides emphasized the need to refocus on getting the ball inside against the Sparks and credited the team for grinding out the win despite a lackluster first half. “It just was a grind, and we grinded it out,” she said.
This hard-fought victory underscores the Fever’s resilience and determination as they head into the playoffs. With Clark leading the charge and the team finding ways to overcome adversity, the Fever are poised to make some noise in the postseason. As Sides put it, the emotional rollercoaster is part of the game, but it’s “not an excuse.” The Fever are ready to battle through whatever comes their way.
