Despite Caitlin Clark missing tonight’s game due to a back injury, the Indiana Fever (11-8) cruised to a landslide Saturday night victory over the Los Angeles Sparks (9-10) to close out a three-game homestand at inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
While Indiana had a complete team effort, offensively, Kelsey Mitchell’s 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line paved the way for the Fever to bounce back from a frustrating loss on Wednesday night.
Behind Mitchell on the stat sheet were Boston with 17 points, Ty Harris’ season-high 16, and Monique Billings’ 15, rounding out the double-digit scorers for the Fever.
With an eight-day break before their next game, head coach Stephanie White hopes the hiatus will allow Caitlin Clark to return to the starting lineup when they take the floor again on July 5 against the Las Vegas Aces at T-Mobile Arena.
Final: Indiana Fever 111, Los Angeles Sparks 87
Indiana gets a landslide victory over Los Angeles, improving to 11-8 on the season.
4:54 4th QTR: Indiana Fever 102, Los Angeles Sparks 70
After review, the call was overturned, and the play is deemed a no-call.
4:54 4th QTR: Indiana Fever 102, Los Angeles Sparks 70
Los Angeles calls a timeout to challenge a Rae Burrell turnover for an offensive foul.
6:21 4th QTR: Indiana Fever 98, Los Angeles Sparks 69
Indiana Timeout.
Stephanie White calls a timeout, displeased with the team for allowing a deep three-pointer by Ariel Atkins that cuts the deficit to a mere 29 points.
7:35 4th QTR: Indiana Fever 98, Los Angeles Sparks 64
Media timeout.
Indiana is absolutely running away with this game, with the fourth-quarter media timeout giving them a 34-point lead.
Fans who decide not to watch this game are truly missing out on an offensive spectacle by the Fever.
End of 3rd Quarter: Indiana Fever 89, Los Angeles Sparks 58
At the end of the third quarter of play, Indiana is well on its way to a landslide victory over Los Angeles, which is exactly what the team needed with Caitlin Clark out of the lineup.
Indiana leads by a game-high 31 points entering the final 10 minutes of play.
Kelsey Mitchell’s 24 points lead all scores so far, with the former Ohio State Buckeye hitting four of the Fever’s eight made 3-pointers tonight.
3:26 3rd QTR: Indiana Fever 75, Los Angeles Sparks 50
Indiana Timeout.
Stephanie White calls a timeout to save a possession that appeared out of sorts.
The Fever still holds a massive 25-point lead over the Sparks.
4:30 3rd QTR: Indiana Fever 75, Los Angeles Sparks 46
After review, the challenge is unsuccessful.
Los Angeles will gain possession of the ball on an inbound underneath their own basket.
4:30 3rd QTR: Indiana Fever 75, Los Angeles Sparks 46
Indiana timeout as Stephanie White has challenged an offensive foul called against Myisha Hines-Allen.
The lid still seems to be covering the basket for the Sparks as Boston, Mitchell, and Harris continue to have their way offensively, as the Fever now have a 29-point advantage.
Michell now has the scoring lead between both teams with 21 points.
Halftime: Indiana Fever 57, Los Angeles Sparks 37
At halftime, Indiana has a commanding 20-point lead as the Sparks cannot figure out an answer for Aliyah Boston (17 points), Kelsey Mitchell (11 points), and Ty Harris (11 points).
Defensively, the Fever have put the Sparks in a stranglehold by limiting Los Angeles to just 37% shooting from the floor and forcing them to commit 12 personal fouls in the opening two quarters.
With Caitlin Clark out of the lineup tonight, the Fever could not have asked for a better performance from the team, both offensively and defensively.
2:44 2nd QTR: Indiana Fever 48, Los Angeles Sparks 31
After review, the challenge was successful. The foul call has been overturned, and Boston will remain at two fouls committed.
2:44 2nd QTR: Indiana Fever 48, Los Angeles Sparks 31
Indiana has called a timeout to challenge a defensive foul called on Aliyah Boston.
3:22 2nd QTR: Indiana Fever 48, Los Angeles Sparks 31
Los Angeles Timeout.
Indiana is doing exactly what they need to do tonight without Clark, as they are scoring in bunches and throughout the lineup.
As for Indiana’s defense, they have kept Los Angeles completely out of rhythm, which has helped keep the Sparks at a distance.
7:34 2nd QTR: Indiana Fever 39, Los Angeles Sparks 25
Los Angeles timeout.
Indiana has roared out to a commanding 14-point lead after numerous And-1 trips to the basket and pretty passing plays that have led to scoring at a steady pace.
On the flipside, Los Angeles cannot seem to find an easy basket, which forces these Sparks to take a timeout.
End of 1st Quarter: Indiana Fever 27, Los Angeles Sparks 21
Aliyah Boston is leading the way for the Fever with eight first-quarter points. The Fever have led by as many as eight and carry a six-point lead into the second.
Ty Harris has seven points, Kelsey Mitchell has five points, and Monique Billings has four points for the Fever at the end of one.
The Fever are shooting 60% from the field.
Indiana Fever 19, Los Angeles Sparks 13
In its second game of the season without Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever are off to a strong start.
Ty Harris and Aliyah Boston each have six points, while Monique Billings has an early four points. The Fever are shooting 67% from the field (8-of-12). Indiana has connected on 2 of 4 3-point tries.
Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin reunite in pregame
It was good to see Caitlin Clark in pregame take time to sign autographs for her fans. The Fever superstar also shared a nice moment with fellow Hawkeye great and former teammate Kate Martin in pregame.
Ty Harris enters starting lineup with Caitlin Clark sidelined
With Caitlin Clark sidelined, Ty Harris enters the starting lineup for the Indiana Fever.
Caitlin Clark has been ruled out
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White told reporters on Friday morning that Clark would miss Saturday’s game against the Sparks. Clark exited its last game with a back injury.
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks: Score, highlights, updates
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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By Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire | USA TODAY Network
