BROOKLYN – The Indiana Fever officially squandered the season series to New York on Tuesday night, as a seven-point second-half lead turned into a 98-84 loss.
The Fever will finish the regular season 1-3 against the Liberty, giving New York precedence on any potential tiebreakers that could come later in the season. This loss pushes the Fever to 12-12 on the season, tied for sixth in the WNBA standings.
Kelsey Mitchell finished with a game-high 29 points, while Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston each had 13. The Fever will return to Indianapolis to play Las Vegas on Thursday.
Caitlin Clark missed the game with a right groin injury. Her return date remains uncertain after visiting with doctors Tuesday.
Here are two observations:
Fever squander third-quarter lead
For a while, Indiana was holding its own against the reigning champions. The Fever led by four at halftime, recording seven steals and forcing 11 turnovers in the first half. That lead got up to seven points late in the third quarter, and the Fever seemed to be in a rhythm.
Then, the Liberty found another gear.
New York went on a 29-8 run over 10 minutes between the third and fourth quarters, and the Fever went from leading, 67-60, to trailing by double digits, 89-75. Indiana also didn’t make a basket in six minutes throughout that stretch, allowing the Liberty to quickly build on that lead.
Staying consistent in the second half is something the Fever have struggled with this season; they’ve had multiple games where they bring a significant lead into the third quarter, but fall apart in the second half. This, again, was one of those games.
Caitlin Clark sits out for second straight game after meeting with doctors
Fever star Caitlin Clark missed her second straight game and 11th overall so far this season while recovering from her latest muscle injury.
Clark strained her right groin on July 15 against Connecticut, marking her fourth muscle injury of the season. She had to pull out of All-Star activities, including the 3-point contest and All-Star Game in Indianapolis, because of the injury.
Fever coach Stephanie White said Clark was meeting with doctors on Monday and Tuesday to get additional opinions on her injury. Clark made the trip to New York with the team for Tuesday’s game. White didn’t have an update on Clark’s injury or a recovery timeline pregame, adding she met with a doctor Tuesday morning. The Fever did not specify if that doctor was in New York, saying they would not comment specifically on doctors visits.
Clark was still an active participant from the bench, talking during huddles and timeouts and standing on the sideline to watch at times. While on the bench, she sat on a blue cushion; Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Howard used those cushions at times, as well.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Without Caitlin Clark, Fever were pushing Liberty. Then defending champs pushed them aside in 2nd half
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
