The Indiana Fever successfully defended their home court by defeating the Washington Mystics 85-76 on Tuesday, despite missing star player Caitlin Clark due to a quad injury. This marked an improved performance for Indiana in their second encounter with Washington, with Clark sidelined for at least two weeks, possibly returning after their game against the Chicago Sky. The win ended Indiana’s three-game losing streak, with key contributions from Kelsey Mitchell, who scored 24 points along with three assists and two steals, and Lexie Hull adding 14 points and four rebounds.
Following the victory, Clark shared moments from the game on her Instagram Stories, highlighting sports photographer Bri Rework’s photos and celebrating Indiana’s 1-0 record in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, as posted by the team’s social media. Meanwhile, the Mystics saw strong performances from Kiki Iriafen and Britney Sykes, who each tallied 20 points; Iriafen also grabbed nine rebounds and shot 81.8% from the field, while Sykes contributed six rebounds and four assists. The Mystics will next face the New York Liberty on Thursday in another Commissioner’s Cup match.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on June 4, 2025.
Fan Take: This victory for the Indiana Fever is a significant morale boost, especially without their star Caitlin Clark, proving the team’s depth and resilience. For WNBA fans, it underscores the growing competitiveness of the league and highlights the exciting talent beyond the marquee players, contributing to the sport’s rising popularity.
