INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever lost their season opener 107-104 to the Dallas Wings on Saturday afternoon.
The Fever (0-1) had multiple chances to tie the game, first as a long-range 3-pointer from Caitlin Clark rimmed off. Wings guard Paige Bueckers missed both free throws, giving the Fever one final chance with 1.3 seconds left. A 3-pointer from Kelsey Mitchell also bounced off the rim.
Mitchell led the Fever with 30 points, while Aliyah Boston dropped 23 and Clark had 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 22 points, Bueckers and former Fever guard Odyssey Sims each had 20 points.
Here’s what I liked and disliked, and what the Fever loss means.
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What I liked in Indiana Fever’s loss to Dallas Wings
What I disliked in Indiana Fever’s loss to Dallas Wings
What Indiana Fever’s loss to Dallas Wings means
The Fever need to work on defense, in all aspects. Some of it was circumstantial — they were lacking some size as defensive stalwart Hull was on a minutes restriction in her return and Monique Billings was out with an ankle injury, but the lack of defense in the Wings’ transition situations (and the lack of defense in general) was what ultimately doomed the Fever.
The Fever will next play at Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.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. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever can’t overcome slow start in season-opening loss to Dallas Wings
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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