Kelsey Mitchell scored a game-high 17 factors and Natasha Howard chipped in 13 to raise the visiting Indiana Fever over the Chicago Sky 79-52 on Saturday within the first WNBA sport performed at United Heart.
Indiana (4-4) compelled Chicago (2-5) into 21 turnovers. The Fever led wire to wire and constructed a 30-point lead practically three weeks after routing the Sky by 35.
Success from deep propelled Indiana. The Fever hit 11 3-pointers for the second straight sport, led by Aari McDonald (12 factors), who linked on three from past the arc.
Fever coach Stephanie White missed the sport as a result of private causes. Assistant Austin Kelly served as interim coach.
The Sky shot 32.1 % from the ground in comparison with 45.8 % for the Fever. Chicago particularly struggled to facilitate after level guard Courtney Vandersloot left the sport with a proper knee damage on a non-contact play within the first quarter. Crew coaching workers helped Vandersloot off the ground.
Indiana restricted Chicago to 11 factors within the third quarter. Kamilla Cardoso and Rebecca Allen led the Sky with eight factors apiece. Angel Reese snagged a game-high 12 rebounds.
Aliyah Boston added 11 factors for Indiana. Lexie Hull led the staff with six rebounds, whereas Boston, Howard and Mitchell grabbed 5 apiece to assist Indiana to a 32-30 benefit on the glass.
Chicago trailed by as many as 14 within the first half because the Fever took a 41-28 benefit into intermission.
Mitchell (9 factors) and Howard (eight) led a balanced assault for Indiana earlier than the break. The Fever dished 11 assists on 14 made first-half discipline objectives.
Indiana’s Caitlin Clark (left quad) and Sophie Cunningham (proper ankle) missed the sport. Clark starred within the Fever’s season-opening residence win in opposition to Chicago on Could 17 with a triple-double (20 factors, 10 assists and 10 rebounds).
Clark’s impression on ticket gross sales upon coming into the league in 2024 helped shift the sport from Wintrust Enviornment to United Heart, residence of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. A Sky franchise-record crowd of 19,496 attended the sport. The groups are set to satisfy once more at United Heart on July 27.
Indiana has gained 5 of six within the all-time collection.
–Subject Stage Media