Chiney Ogwumike identifies what Fever need to be a ‘real contender’

The Indiana Fever did not disappoint their fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday, rolling past the New York Liberty, 106-92, to improve to 7-2 in their last nine games.

The Fever led by as much as 21 points with their hot shooting. They went 50% from the field, including 16-of-25 from long range. They shot 11-of-14 from three-point distance in the first half, which was a team record. They have now scored at least 100 points for the 15th time this season.

The star-studded trio of Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, and Aliyah Boston proved to be too much anew for the Liberty. Mitchell had a game-high 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-4 from rainbow territory. Clark had 22 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists, while Boston added 19 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike hailed the Fever amid their surge, but she also pinpointed the facet they could improve on.

“I said at the start of the year that the Indiana Fever could potentially win a championship. Now they have the seventh-best defense, so that’s kind of a little bit better than the middle of the pack. Their offense is gonna carry them places and take them places, and I love their offense,” said Ogwumike.

“They’re on a historic run and are on pace to set a record for most points per game as a team. So if they can improve that defense down the stretch, they are a real contender.”

"If they can improve that defense down the stretch, they are a real contender."

—@chiney on if the Fever are legitimate title contenders pic.twitter.com/WYM1kF4sXo

— espnW (@espnW) August 12, 2026

Indiana is averaging a league-leading 95.9 points, while allowing 90.4 points, which is fourth-most in the WNBA.

Ogwumike also praised Mitchell, Clark, and Boston for “showing up and showing out” every night.

The Fever had a lackluster start to the campaign, with Clark dealing with a back injury and rumors of a spat with coach Stephanie White, which they quickly diffused.

Now, they are humming better, and it appears that they will only get stronger ahead of the playoffs.

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