But the Mercury didn’t make it easy. Down 23 points going into the fourth, Phoenix started the quarter on a 16-4 run, then at one point got within four points, despite missing Diana Taurasi (out injured) and Brittney Griner (who left in the second quarter with an injury and didn’t return). The Fever held on for a 95-86 win behind big-time performances from four of five starters.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 28 points, while Aliyah Boston (21 points, 13 rebounds), Caitlin Clark (20 points, 13 assists) and NaLyssa Smith (14 points, 10 rebounds) each had double-doubles.
It is the first time the Fever have won the season series against the Mercury since 2016; Tamika Catchings’ final year in the league. Indiana has one more game against Phoenix, which comes as its first game after the Olympic break on Aug. 16.
The Fever are 10-14 with two games remaining before the Olympic break.
Here are three observations:
Fever take down underhanded Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury were already shorthanded when they flew into Indianapolis on Thursday night, ruling guards Diana Taurasi, Sug Sutton and Charisma Osborne out a day early for Friday’s game.
That meant the Mercury, who usually carry 11 players on their roster instead of 12, only had eight available players. So, they waived forward Liz Dixon and brought on former Fever guard and 2024 No. 15 draft pick Celeste Taylor for some backcourt depth on Friday morning. Taylor’s only practice with the team was their one-hour shootaround on Friday morning in Indianapolis.
