WNBA Indiana Fever

Mercury Rally Late to Defeat Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday

Published on June 11, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Fever (2-6) were defeated by the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after a fourth quarter rally paved the way for an 85-82 Mercury victory.

Fever forward NaLyssa Smith, Indiana's leading scorer and rebounder on the night, notched her fifth double-double of the season with a career-high 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting while pulling down 12 rebounds.

Fever guards Erica Wheeler and Kelsey Mitchell both recorded double figures in the scoring column as well, netting 17 and 12 points respectively. With her first of two assists on the night, Mitchell took sole possession of fourth place for most assists all-time in franchise history with 472 career assists in a Fever uniform. The Fever guard surpassed Katie Douglas with 470 assists, and is now trailing Wheeler in third place with 587.

Mitchell also ended the night in second place in franchise history for most made field goals, also passing Douglas. She ended the game with 903 for her career and trails only Tamika Catchings on the Fever all-time ranks.

The Mercury caught fire to begin the game, leading the Fever after a 15-6 scoring run within the first four minutes of the game. A collective scoring effort from six Fever players helped Indiana shrink the deficit to end the quarter, 26-20. Smith guided Indiana's scoring attack as she contributed seven points on 3-of-6 shooting in the first ten minutes.

Midway through the second quarter, a pair of completed free throws from Smith gave Indiana its first lead of the game after 16 minutes of play. Indiana's defense held the Mercury shooting 35.3 percent (6-of-17) and a 17-point offensive output in the second quarter. The Fever remained within reach of the lead going into the locker room with Phoenix ahead, 43-42.

Indiana opened the second half with a 14-4 scoring run allowing the Fever to take the lead that would quickly extend and hold throughout the entirety of the third quarter. Wheeler, whose mid-range jumper gave Indiana the lead to start the quarter, shot 5-of-6 from the floor as she pitched in 10 of her 17 points in the third quarter alone. Indiana's 12-of-17 shooting clip and strong defensive production held the Mercury to 16 points and propelled them into the fourth quarter leading Phoenix, 67-59.

Phoenix began the last fourth quarter on a 10-0 run in the first 1:56 and held Indiana to 6-of-16 shooting to close the game out. Indiana held on until the final buzzer as the fourth quarter featured five lead changes in front of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd. The Mercury ultimately held on after outscoring Indiana, 26-15, in the final frame and shot 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Smith recorded 12 of Indiana's final 15 points.

For Phoenix, all five starters scored in double figures, highlighted by center Brittney Griner's 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Griner's scoring effort was supported by Diana Taurasi's 18 points, Sophie Cunningham's 13 points, Michaela Onyenwere's 11 points and 12 rebounds, as well as Sug Sutton's 10 points and seven assists. Griner and Taurasi shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor collectively in the first quarter, and Cunningham led the fourth quarter scoring attack while totaling 11 points in the final frame.

Indiana ended the night converting a season-high 21 second chance points on 11 offensive rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Fever come back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday to take on the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. ET. Tuesday's game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Indiana.

Check out the Indiana Fever Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 11, 2023


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