Indiana Fever 93 – Chicago Sky 58 (May 17th, 2025) Game Recap - Page 6

Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – For the first time since 2019, the Indiana Fever win their season opener with a dominating win over the Chicago Sky.

1. First Quarter

Entering the season opener, the only player out for Indiana was Sophie Cunningham with an ankle injury. The starting lineup for the Fever was Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, DeWanna Bonner, Aliyah Boston, and Natasha Howard. With a lot of new faces and nervous energy ahead of the first game, both teams got off to a slow start offensively from an efficiency standpoint. Through the first four minutes, Indiana was down a point until Mitchell splashed her second three of the quarter to give Indiana a 12-10 advantage. The Fever’s would surrender five straight points to the Sky, giving them a brief 15-14 lead. Indiana would go on an 8-0 run in the next eight minutes to go on top 22-16 after a free throw from Mitchell. After twelve minutes, Indiana was leading 22-17 behind Mitchell’s 9 points. Howard also chipped in with 8 points. Chicago was led by Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins with 4 points each. Indiana held Chicago to 29.2% from the field and 1/9 (11/1%) from three-point range.

2. Second Quarter

One of the key aspects to a Stephanie White team, is their ability to defend. Indiana really made it hard on Chicago in the second quarter offensively. Reese hit a three-pointer with 8:23 left in the half to trim Indiana’s lead in half. The Fever responded with a huge run that allowed them to take control of the game. After back-to-back buckets from Boston, Indiana was on top 38-25 with 3:02 left in the half. Indiana’s run was 16-5 in the next 6:34. Chicago would not cut into the Indiana advantage at all the rest of the quarter because of Clark hitting a deep three with less than two seconds left in the half to send Indiana into halftime with a 45-32 lead. Boston led all players in scoring in the quarter with 8 points. Caitlin Clark added 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in the second quarter. Indiana held Chicago to 3/14 on two-point shots, compared to 3/7 shooting on three-pointers. In the half, Clark was leading all players in scoring with 12 points. Boston was on pace for a double-double with 8 points and 6 rebounds. As for Chicago, Reese was leading the team with 7 points and 9 rebounds.  

3. Third Quarter

In the first half the Fever did a really good job at preventing the Sky from going on any major runs. To start the second half, they scored five quick points to trim Indiana’s advantage down to ten points. However, the Fever had an answer a few minutes later with a 9-0 run to take a commanding 65-45 lead after a three-point play from Lexie Hull. The Fever run started with 4:24 left in the quarter and ended with zeroes on the clock. Neither team scored in the final 1:24 of play. Boston had her way again in the third period with 9 points, followed by Howard with 5 points. Clark only took one shot but recorded 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the quarter. Indiana held Chicago to just 25% shooting in the third quarter. After thirty minutes of basketball, Boston led all players in scoring with 17 points while grabbing 11 boards in the process. Clark was nearing a triple-double with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. As for Chicago, Reese was leading the way with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

4. Fourth Quarter

With the way the Fever were defending, it felt nearly impossible for the Sky to come back and win today’s game. It was really apparent that Chicago was going to lose when the Fever went on a 14-2 run to go ahead by THIRTY points with 4:29 left in the game. At that time, Clark was on the bench and needed one rebound to record her first triple-double of the season. She would corral the miss shot by Chicago with 2:22 left in the game to finish the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. A lot of the bench players were in the Indiana in the final two minutes, and were able to keep pushing the advantage. For the first time since 2019, Indiana wins its season opener with a dominating 93-58 win over the Chicago Sky. Clark and Mitchell each scored 6 points in the fourth to lead the team. The only Fever players to not score in the fourth were Natasha Howard and Brianna Turner.  

5. Top Performers

Caitlin Clark (20p, 10r, 10a, 4b), Aliyah Boston (19p, 13r, 5b), Natasha Howard (15p, 5r, 2a, 3s, 1b), and Kelsey Mitchell (15p). For Chicago, Angel Reese (12p, 17r) and Ariel Atkins (11p, 4r, 2a, 2s, 1b). For this afternoon’s full box score, click here.

6. Notes

• Indiana wins season opener for the first time since 2019
• Indiana is now 4-1 vs Chicago since Clark & Reese were drafted
• Indiana held Chicago to 29.1% from the field, would have been an opponent low last season
• Indiana did not hold a single opponent last season under 70 points
• Indiana’s 35 points win ties the second largest win in franchise history
• Aliyah Boston recorded her first double-double of the season
• Angel Reese recorded her first double-double of the season
• Caitlin Clark recorded her first triple-double of the season
• Caitlin Clark recorded her first double-double of the season
• Caitlin Clark recorded a career high 4 blocks
• DeWanna Bonner has moved into 3rd all-time in WNBA scoring
  • Bonner trails Tina Charles by 207 points for 2nd
  • Bonner trails Diana Taurasi by 3,157 points for 1st
• Natasha Howard led all Fever players in +/- with a +26

7. Next Up

Indiana will have two days off and then return to action on Tuesday night when the Atlanta Dream visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time of the season. Pregame coverage with Eddie Garrison will start at 6:45pm followed by the play-by-play coverage with John Nolan and Bria Goss on 93.5/107.5 The Fan.