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CHICAGO – The Indiana Fever (1-5) nearly secured its second road victory of the season, but ultimately fell in overtime to the Chicago Sky, 108-103, on Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena. Indiana and Chicago (5-3) will meet again on June 15 at 8 p.m. ET back in Chicago.
Despite the loss, the first of four regular season matchups between Indiana and Chicago became a record-breaking night for the Fever as Erica Wheeler dished out a new franchise-best 12 assists, to go along with 12 points. Six Fever players ended the night scoring in double figures, led by WNBA Rookie of the Month Aliyah Boston rattling off a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell had 14 points, NaLyssa Smith ended with 10 points, and Lexie Hull notched a season-high 13 points. Kristy Wallace came off the bench to contribute 16 points to lead the Fever reserves.
Boston and Wheeler’s double-doubles on Tuesday night was the first time two Fever players have contributed such performances in the same game since June 17, 2021 against Seattle when Jessica Breland and Teaira McCowan both recorded double-doubles.
Boston added to her record-setting night shooting 12-of-15 from the floor, a first-year performance that ranks second in franchise history behind Tamika Catchings’ 13 completed field goals against Orlando during her own rookie year in 2002. Per Across The Timeline, Boston became the first rookie to have at least 25 points on 80 percent shooting or better from the field, to go along with at least 10 rebounds and two blocks in a game. It was only the 11th occurrence in WNBA history overall.
Indiana presented a well-rounded offensive effort in the first quarter as they worked to respond to a quick five-point lead from Chicago to open the first three minutes of the game. Seven Fever players contributed in the scoring column in the first quarter, collectively shooting 57.9 percent from the floor (11-of-19) to support Indiana’s hot shooting start, but trailed the Sky at the end of the first ten minutes, 26-25.
The Fever finally claimed the lead at the 6:46 mark in the second quarter and shifted focus to maintaining it throughout the first half. Hull and Wallace led the charge offensively in the quarter each scoring eight points in the second quarter alone. Indiana delivered its highest scoring first half of the season and entered the locker room leading the Sky, 50-44.
Indiana remained in control of the game throughout the third quarter holding Chicago to a 38.9 shooting percentage from the floor (7-of-18). Wheeler and Mitchell pitched in six points each as the third quarter concluded with Indiana holding the advantage, 67-62.
The fourth quarter became a game of back-and-forth scoring as Chicago sped the offensive pace in their successful attempt to shrink the deficit. Boston fueled the Indiana offense by pouring in 10 points in the final five minutes of regulation, including the last six Indiana points in regulation on her own. Following a pivotal putback layup from Boston during the Fever’s last possession of regulation leaving only 2.7 seconds remaining, a layup at the other end from Chicago’s Alanna Smith tied the game as the clock expired, sending the game to overtime, 91-91. In overtime, the Sky outscored Indiana, 17-12, including nine points from Sky guard Dana Evans on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting clip and made the lead insurmountable for Indiana to rally back.
Chicago was led by four players finishing the night scoring in double figures: Marina Mabrey (28), Kahleah Copper (24), Evans (20), and Alanna Smith (18). The Sky shot a combined 23-of-25 from the charity stripe, with Mabrey leading the way going 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Chicago was outrebounded by Indiana, 35-25, on Tuesday night.
