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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever have become only the second team in WNBA history to open the season with eight consecutive home games at 15,000-plus attendance. Wednesday night’s sellout 88-81 win over the Washington Mystics matched the 2002 Mystics attendance.
So yes, the Fever beat the identical franchise 20-plus years later to tie an incredible turnout record to begin the season. It marked the Fever’s third consecutive win to move to 6-10 and stay in the playoff picture. They’ll probably get to nine home games at 15,000-plus too. The Fever will host the New York Liberty on July 6. Up next, they’ll play five straight road games and look to survive it.
But all the Fever have been doing lately is surviving, with three single-digit wins all at home.
“This is the true definition of home-court advantage,” Fever forward Aliyah Boston said on the court to fans postgame. “We feel the energy,” Boston later said to reporters. “We’re just thankful that they continue to show up and that they’re super loud because we’re playing hard for them.”
Boston — without the pink color in her hair anymore — has continued to motor in the paint for the Fever. She tied to lead the team with 22 points Wednesday, shooting 8-for-11. Mystics rookie Aaliyah Edwards was held to only four points, making one basket. Kelsey Mitchell poured on another 22 points in the win. Caitlin Clark did most of the rebounding with 12 and scoring 18 points as well.
She was four assists shy of her first-career triple-double and probably would’ve gotten it had her teammates made more 3-pointers in the first half. But as you’ll learn, the Fever are not in shape to throw teammates under the bus. Clark was instrumental in another win, though she did have more off-target and dangerous passes in the second half. She was later asked about it.
“There was a couple here and there,” Clark said. “One was a set design where I kinda just assumed Aliyah would be open and I didn’t even really look before I threw it. So I think just slowing down a little bit. Honestly, I’m trying to remember the other ones.”
Boston interrupted.
“It’s okay, it’s alright, don’t worry,” Boston said. “If I miss it, then alright, we’re good.”
“Thanks, AB,” Clark replied.
For Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and the Fever, winning is fun
When Boston interrupted, Clark and Mitchell both smirked and laughed at the podium. There have been tons of smiles and laughs inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse lately. Players just have hops in their steps. The trio at the podium walked off loose and happy. They’ve deserved this, following their 11-game 20-day gauntlet versus some of the best teams in the whole league.
They went to Indy’s Zoobilation and the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in between games.
Reporter: “Three straight wins at home.”
Fever public relations: “Four.”
Reporter: “Well, in this homestand.”
Clark (banter): “Gotta be more specific.”
During another reporter’s question, Mitchell was prefaced with this is the first time the Fever have won four straight home games since 2015, which was three years before her debut as the longest-tenured player. So, what’s different about this team? Clark whispered to Boston that she was in seventh or eighth grade back then, even while Mitchell was starting to give her answer.
What’s next for Indiana
In spite of this perfect three-game homestand, the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, and Mystics are in the bottom half of the standings. Wins are wins, but the real test is when the Fever have to go play at the Seattle Storm at the midway point of their road trip. They’re 0-7 versus the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, and the Storm so far this year. When is the breakthrough win coming?
Time will tell. But for now, the Fever are bonding, they’re laughing — they’re winning.
