The Fever ended its two-game losing skid with a 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to move past Las Vegas and claim sixth place in the standings. The Fever did so without All-Star guard Caitlin Clark, who missed her third consecutive game with a right groin injury. The Fever lead the regular-season series, 2-1, and have defeated the Aces in back-to-back games for first time since 2015.
The Fever trailed by six points at halftime, but Indiana outscored Las Vegas, 45-29, in the second half. The Aces came within five points of the Fever with 1:33 remaining in the game, but Aari McDonald slammed the door shut with a 3-pointer to take an eight-point lead with 34.2 seconds left. The Fever credited their second half turnaround to a mid-game pep talk from head coach Stephanie White.
Coach told us at halftime that we were playing too soft. We let Las Vegas get whatever they wanted in the second quarter," said Natasha Howard, who finished with an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double. "When (White) told us that… we all locked in coming out in the second half."
Kelsey Mitchell led the way with a game-high 21 points and four assists, while Aliyah Boston added a double-double with 13 points and 10 points. Four Fever starters finished with double-digit points. More importantly, Indiana's defense held Las Vegas to only two 3-pointers the entire game, making a season low for the Aces.
A'ja Wilson had 20 points, six rebounds and three steals in the losing effort. Jackie Young added 19 points and three assists.
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