Kelsey Mitchell’s impressive 29-point performance led 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 to Indiana’s fifth consecutive win, with numerous Scotiabank Arena spectators donning Clark jerseys in support.
Brittney Sykes, returning from a two-month injury absence, made an impact for the Tempo with 15 points, five assists, and two rebounds. On the opposing side, Marina Mabrey tallied 22 points for Toronto, but it wasn’t enough as the team suffered its 11th consecutive loss. Aneesah Morrow, coming off the bench, set a new franchise record with a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Sykes had been sidelined with a left plantar fascia injury sustained in a previous game against the Fever, resulting in a string of ten successive losses for Toronto without her presence. The Tempo, once in contention for a playoff spot, now hold the third-worst record in the WNBA, ahead of the Connecticut Sun and the Seattle Storm, both already out of playoff contention.
In terms of game highlights, Indiana lived up to its reputation as the highest-scoring WNBA team, showcasing their offensive prowess with 11 successful three-pointers out of 25 attempts and 50 points in the paint. Despite trailing throughout and facing a 17-point deficit, Toronto displayed resilience with notable statistics, including 22 second-chance points, a 41-32 rebounding advantage, and a strong bench performance contributing 38 points.
A critical moment in the game occurred when Mabrey’s potential game-changing three-pointer was nullified by a palming violation in the dying seconds. The Tempo struggled offensively, shooting 39.1% from the field 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.