Kelsey Mitchell’s impressive 29-point performance propelled the Indiana Fever to a hard-fought 101-95 victory over the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday. Caitlin Clark, a standout player, contributed 24 points and seven assists as Indiana secured their fifth consecutive win. The crowd at Scotiabank Arena showed strong support, donning Clark’s jerseys.
Making a comeback after a two-month injury hiatus, Brittney Sykes delivered a solid performance with 15 points, five assists, and two rebounds for the struggling Tempo (10-24) team. Despite Marina Mabrey’s 22 points and Aneesah Morrow’s record-breaking double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds off the bench, Toronto suffered their eleventh consecutive defeat.
Sykes’ absence due to a left plantar fascia injury incurred during a June 16 game against the Fever had a significant impact, as Toronto experienced a ten-game losing streak in her absence. The Tempo, once contenders for a playoff spot, now find themselves with the third-worst record in the WNBA, ahead of only the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm, who are already out of postseason contention.
In terms of performance highlights, the Fever, known for their high-scoring offense averaging 96.2 points per game, showcased their prowess by shooting 44% from beyond the arc (11 for 25) and scoring 50 points in the paint. Despite trailing throughout the game and falling behind by as much as 17 points, the Tempo displayed some positive signs, including 22 second-chance points, outrebounding the visitors 41-32, and having their bench contribute 38 points compared to Indiana’s 20.
A critical moment in the game came when Mabrey hit a three-pointer in the closing seconds with Toronto trailing by four, only for the shot to be nullified by a palming violation called by the referees. The Tempo struggled offensively, converting only 39.1% of their field-goal attempts and 32.4% from three-point range.
Looking ahead, the Fever will face the Dallas Wings on Thursday, while the Tempo are set to take on the Washington Mystics on Wednesday.