The WNBA has praised Indiana Fever standout players following an impressive performance against the Las Vegas Aces, as reported by Athlon Sports. Despite WNBA All-Star Guard Kate Rinklerk being sidelined due to a groin injury, the Fever have thrived in her absence. On Thursday, the Fever secured their eighth win by defeating the Aces 81-54, disrupting Las Vegas’s 16-game winning streak. Indiana’s defense forced 19 turnovers while limiting the Aces to just 26.2% shooting. Aliya Boston continued her stellar run with 20 points, and guard Kelsey Mitchell led the team with a strong 25-point effort, including six assists and two steals.
Mitchell, who was an All-Star in both 2023 and 2024, is having an outstanding season with averages of 19.3 points per game and shooting 45.4% from three-point range. She has scored at least 20 points in her last five games, including the recent Commissioners Cup final. Indiana currently holds a 9-8 record, showing marked improvement even without Rinklerk. With a five-game homestand underway, the Fever have a great chance to boost their record before the All-Star break. Following the homestand, they will face the Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty on the road ahead of the All-Star Game, which will be hosted at their home arena, Gainbridge Field House.
Fan Take: This surge by the Indiana Fever, even without a key player, highlights the growing depth and competitiveness within the WNBA, which is exciting for fans eager to see a more unpredictable and thrilling league. The Fever’s strong defense and rising stars like Kelsey Mitchell and Aliya Boston are signaling a promising future, potentially reshaping the WNBA landscape.
