Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 23 points, and Lexi Hull contributed all 14 of her points in the second half, helping Indiana overcome the Washington Mystics 85-76 on Tuesday night, despite missing star player Caitlyn Clark. Clark missed the game due to left quad tightness, while veteran guard Sophie Cunningham had also been sidelined earlier in the week after a loss to Connecticut.
Indiana dominated the third quarter, scoring 31 points to take a 69-55 lead by halftime. Ahri MacDonald, making his debut for Indiana, hit his team’s fifth three-pointer with just over two minutes to go in the quarter. Washington rallied slightly in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 69-67 with a layup from Britney Sykes. However, Indiana responded with a seven-point run, including a key layup by Hull and a crucial jump ball win leading to an 8-point advantage for Mitchell late in the game.
Aliyah Boston added 10 points for Indiana, improving their record to 3-4. Washington’s Kiki Iriafen and Britney Sykes each scored 20 points, while rookie Sonia Citron contributed 13 and Shakira Austin added 10 points. Indiana shot a season-high 11 three-pointers, while Washington struggled from long range.
Fan Take: This victory shows Indiana’s depth and resilience without their star Caitlyn Clark, which is promising for their playoff hopes. For WNBA fans, games like this highlight the growing talent and competitiveness in the league, signaling exciting seasons ahead.
