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Michael Voebel, ESPN Senior Writer
For those who have followed the Indiana Fever’s struggles over the past several seasons, the numbers stand out like neon: 17-16. For the first time in more than five years, the Fever has a winning record.
“This is a big week for Indiana’s playoff hopes, as it plays three of its four games on the road,” we wrote Monday. Indiana then rose to the occasion with wins over Atlanta, Connecticut, Chicago and Dallas, moving it into the top four of the latest ESPN WNBA Power Rankings.
The Fever have the longest current winning streak in the league with four wins. They haven’t booked a postseason spot yet, but they’re getting closer.
Indiana’s 17 wins matched the team’s total from the past three seasons in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Things improved last season with the addition of No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, as the Fever won 13 games. This season’s No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark, also changed the team.
The last time Indiana was above .500 was June 13, 2019. The Fever team was 4-3 then and had finished the season 13-21. Clark was a senior in high school, Boston was preparing for her freshman year at South Carolina, and Kelsey Mitchell was in her second season at Indiana. Now, everyone is playing huge roles in the revival of the Fever team, which last had a winning season in 2015 and last appeared in the playoffs in 2016.
Consider what happened three months ago: Indiana woke up on June 1 with one loss and eight losses after a painful start to the season. But they got their second win that day. And while the road ahead is still bumpy, the recovery has begun.
By the All-Star/Olympic break, Indiana had a record of 11 wins and 15 losses. Since resuming play after the Paris Olympics, the Fever has a record of 6 wins and 1 loss. They have beaten every WBA team at least once this season except defending champion Las Vegas, which visits Indianapolis for games on September 11 and 13.
Mitchell is in her seventh WNBA season and is making her first full run into the playoffs. She has now scored 20 or more points in seven straight games, a team record — including 36 in Sunday’s 100-93 win over Dallas — and is averaging 26.7 points per game. Clarke is averaging 24.6 points and 9.0 assists in the same seven-game stretch.
On the season, Mitchell (19.0 points per game) and Clark (18.7) lead the Fever in scoring, while Boston ranks third in that category (13.4) and first in rebounds (9.0) and blocks (1.4).
The Fever have seven regular-season games left, and the next six are at home. Speaking of transformations, Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse has gone from a near-ghost town in 2022 to the best attendance in the WNBA in 2024 at just under 17,000 per game.
For coach Christie Sides, who came under heavy criticism from frustrated fans earlier this season, seeing the players grow has been gratifying.
“We keep talking about emptying the tank,” Sides said of the effort the Fever puts in every game. “We keep talking about momentum, keeping our foot on the gas.”
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1:08
Brianna Stewart scores 32 points against Storm
Brianna Stewart scored 32 points in Liberty’s win over Storm.
Previous arrangement: 1
this week: vs SEA (September 5), vs LV (September 8)
Can a first-place team lose to a last-place team? It happened Wednesday when New York beat Los Angeles 94-88. That showed the impact Jonquel Jones has had on the Liberty, who sat out the game due to illness. She returned for Friday’s 98-85 win over Seattle, grabbing 11 rebounds. In other good news for New York: Point guard/forward Lani Hamilton returned from knee surgery and played in all three games last week, her first since July 6. Overall, the Liberty (who also beat Phoenix) went 2-1, keeping them in the lead.
Previous arrangement: 3
this week: vs SEA (September 3), vs LV (September 6), @ LA (September 8)
The Suns lost to Indiana last week and bounced back with wins over Washington and Seattle. Forward Alyssa Thomas suffered a leg injury against both the Mystics and Storm, but finished with eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists against Seattle on Sunday. Guard Marina Mabry, acquired via trade on July 17, continues to help buoy the Suns, scoring 52 points in three games last week. Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner also achieved a major milestone, moving into fourth place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list.
Previous arrangement: 2
this week: @IND (September 6), @WAS (September 8)
The Lynx’s 94-76 loss to Dallas on Friday wasn’t as surprising as the Liberty’s loss to Los Angeles earlier in the week. Dallas has clearly improved since the Olympic hiatus. Still, it was one of the few “boring” games the Lynx have played this season, and it ended their seven-game winning streak. Minnesota bounced back Sunday with a win over Chicago, with guard Courtney Williams matching her season-high 22 points.
Previous arrangement: 5
this week: Los Angeles (September 4), vs. Minnesota (September 6), vs. Atlanta (September 8)
While Mitchell, Clark and Boston have been good, the rest of the Fever players are doing their part, too. Nallissa Smith has scored in double figures in each of the past three games. Lexi Hull, known for her tenacious defense, has scored in double figures in four of the past seven games for the Fever. Hull has done so just twice in Indiana’s first 26 games. Damiris Dantas and Timmy Fagbenle are veteran leaders who have really solidified the bench.
2:00
A’ja Wilson dominates second 40-point, 15-rebound game in WNBA history
A’ja Wilson led the way for the Aces, posting 41 points and 17 rebounds to join Candace Parker as the only two players in league history with 40-15 wins.
former: 4
this week: vs Chicago (September 3), @Const (September 6), @New York (September 8)
The Aces have gone four wins and four losses since the Olympic break, including Tuesday’s 93-90 loss to Dallas despite star A’ja Wilson’s 42 points. Coach Becky Hammon has been vocal about the team’s defensive inefficiency. Subsequent wins over Atlanta and Phoenix have been just what the Aces need. Wilson scored 41 points against the Mercury; she has 109 points and 39 rebounds in Las Vegas’ three games this past week.
Previous arrangement: 6
this week: @ CON (September 3), @ NY (September 5), vs. PHO (September 7)
Speaking of teams worrying about their defense, the Storm went 1-3 last week. That usually means a drop in the power rankings. But the team right below the Storm in the power rankings — Phoenix — hasn’t done anything to move up. Seattle has secured a playoff spot but wants to play much better. “It doesn’t mean people are happy, but I don’t think we’re playing as hard as we need to,” veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike said Sunday after the loss to Connecticut.
Previous arrangement: 7
this week: This week: vs ATL (September 3), vs WAS (September 5), @ SEA (September 7)
The Mercury could have made a statement last week, but they didn’t. Instead, they lost three games at home: to New York, Minnesota and Las Vegas. Phoenix has won enough that a playoff berth seems all but certain, but the Mercury aren’t playing well right now.
Previous arrangement: 11
this week: This week: vs WAS (September 3), ATL (September 6), CHI (September 8)
The Wings have gone 3-1 in their last four games, including wins over Las Vegas and Minnesota. On Sunday, they came close to beating Indiana for the second time this season. But the Fever held on, 100-93, despite Dallas guard Arik Ogunbowale tying a WNBA record with nine 3-pointers on her way to 34 points. Wings guard Satou Sabally has been solid in her seven games since returning to the WNBA after the Olympics, averaging 20.6 points per game. Time is running out, but Dallas still has a shot at making the playoffs.
1:55
Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream – Match Highlights
Watch highlights of Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream, 08/28/2024
Previous arrangement: 8
this week: @PHO (September 3), vs DAL (September 6), @IND (September 8)
After winning three of their first three games after the Olympic break, the Dream have lost their next four. That slump ended with a much-needed win over Los Angeles on Sunday. Atlanta is now tied with Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot. Veteran center Tina Charles is doing her best to lead the Dream, including a double-digit win on Sunday.
Previous arrangement: 10
this week: @ DAL (September 3), @ PHO (September 5), vs MIN (September 8)
Like Dallas, the Mystics (2-1 last week) have made a strong comeback, though it may be too late to qualify for the playoffs. However, the team is still in contention for a playoff spot, a significant accomplishment considering how badly Washington has been hurt this season by injuries.
Previous arrangement: 9
this week: @ LV (September 3), vs. LA (September 6), vs. DAL (September 8)
The Sky remain in playoff mode despite losing six straight games and seven of eight since the Olympic break. Chicago’s leading scorer, guard Chennedy Carter, is out due to health and safety protocols. She did not play in the Sky’s three losses last week, to Washington, Indiana and Minnesota. Freshmen Angel Reyes and Camila Cardoso had one of their best games combined Sunday against the Lynx, with 39 points and 28 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. The Sky need to find their footing quickly.
Previous arrangement: 12
this week: @ IND (September 4), @ CHI (September 6), vs CON (September 8)
Coach Kurt Miller has made it clear that the Sparks are working hard to win and aren’t just looking for another lottery pick next year. The team backed that up with a 94-88 win over New York last week that snapped a seven-game losing streak. But that was followed by a loss to Atlanta. With 25 losses, the Sparks have already suffered their most losses in a season, with eight games remaining.
