Mitchell, Clark Keep Fever in Control in 90-86 Victory Over Sky

CHICAGO — Every time the Chicago Sky threatened to make Saturday night’s game interesting, the Indiana Fever had an answer.

Kelsey Mitchell scored a team-high 27 points, while Caitlin Clark delivered 26 points and 11 assists as Indiana defeated Chicago 90-86 before more than 16,000 fans at the United Center.

The victory marked Indiana’s 20th win of the season and continued its recent dominance of the rivalry. Chicago has not defeated the Fever at home since 2024.

Indiana Answers Every Rally

Chicago refused to go away, repeatedly cutting into Indiana’s advantage and keeping the outcome unsettled deep into the fourth quarter. But the Fever never surrendered control.

Indiana’s shooting provided the separation. Clark connected on five of her six attempts from beyond the arc, Mitchell consistently created scoring opportunities, and the Fever received timely baskets throughout the lineup whenever the Sky appeared ready to make a run.

Chicago rallied. Indiana responded.

That pattern continued throughout the evening, allowing the Fever to remain in front and escape Chicago with a four-point victory.

Carrington Ejected After Flagrant Foul

The game’s ugliest moment came during the first quarter.

Chicago’s DiJonai Carrington struck Sophie Cunningham in the head and face as the Fever guard attempted a fast-break layup. After reviewing the play, officials assessed Carrington a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in her immediate ejection.

Cunningham confronted Carrington following the contact but remained in the game. Fever coach Stephanie White later said the Flagrant 2 ruling was appropriate, although she did not believe Carrington was necessarily attempting to injure Cunningham.

The incident added another heated chapter to a rivalry that has become one of the WNBA’s most closely watched matchups.

Clark’s Suspension Avoided

Clark appeared headed for a one-game suspension after being assessed her eighth technical foul of the season late in the third quarter.

The technical came after Clark made contact with an official while being forced out of bounds. Because eight regular-season technical fouls trigger an automatic one-game suspension under WNBA rules, the initial ruling would have kept Clark out of Indiana’s next game.

The league rescinded the technical shortly after the game following a review of the play. Clark therefore remains at seven technical fouls and will be available against the New York Liberty.

Another Strong Chicago Crowd

Saturday’s announced attendance exceeded 16,000 at the United Center. That was approximately 3,000 fewer than the crowds attracted by two Chicago meetings last season when Clark did not play, but it remained another substantial turnout for the Fever-Sky rivalry.

The comparison is noteworthy: Clark’s presence remains a major attraction across the league, but Chicago and Indiana have developed a rivalry capable of generating considerable interest beyond any one player.

Up Next: Fever at Liberty Live on SMSN

Indiana now travels to New York to face the Liberty in another important matchup.

SMSN Radio coverage begins with the pregame show at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the game airing live on SMSN.

The Fever will arrive with Clark available, Mitchell rolling offensively and a lineup that demonstrated in Chicago that it can answer every challenge.