Energy was at a different level on Wednesday night when the Fever stepped onto the court to wrap up a three-game home stand against the Mystics. They were in the midst of their first winning streak of an emotionally draining season and, while it was only a two-game streak, there was a sense of positivity that had been missing.
From the moment of the opening tip, the Fever played with an intensity that was undeniable. Throughout the first half, they played with tight defense and increased fundamentals, only turning the ball over four times, shooting 54% from the field and racking up four steals and two blocks.
Momentum was solely in the favor of Indiana, with the Fever pulling out to a lead almost every time the Mystics would come close to finding their way on top. A Caitlin Clark steal came out of nowhere and a massive NaLyssa Smith block on Stefanie Dolson both gave the Fever an adrenaline shot just when they needed it.
At halftime there had been six ties, but the Fever never fell behind, with Clark already two rebounds and one assist shy of a triple double, and Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith also being in double figure points at halftime.
The second half saw more of the same, with Mitchell and Boston both getting hot from the field- Mitchell hitting four straight shots at one point. At times the Mystics threatened to close the gap and came close on a few occasions. Starting the 4th quarter, Washington cut the Fever lead down to two points but the veteran leadership of Mitchell and Erica Wheeler helped the Fever stay poised and their confidence up.
Ending the night saw the Fever taking home a seven-point win, a Caitlin Clark double-double, their fourth straight home win, extending their current winning streak to three.
The Fever will hit the road after a few days of rest, traveling to Atlanta on Friday for the first of a five-game road trip before coming back home to face the Liberty on July 6.
-Reggie Edwards
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