The Indiana Fever (3-2) now hold a two-game home winning streak after Wednesday night’s victory over the Portland Fire (2-3), 90-73.
A late scratch, the Fever were without Caitlin Clark as she deals with a back injury. Kelsey Mitchell took control of the Fever backcourt adding 21 points, while Lexie Hull added an additional 16 points on perfect three-point shooting. All-Star post player Aliyah Boston made her return to the Fever lineup, and tallied 24 points and was a force on the low block.
For the Fire, it was Bridget Carleton leading the way with 16 points in 25 minutes. Portland guard Sug Sutton added another 14 points and four assists in the loss.
Here is what happened.
Without Caitlin Clark, the Fever handle the Fire in the teams’ first-ever matchup
The Fever continue their impressive outing, three players finish in double figures.
Fever 90, Fire 73, Final
The Fever continue the barrage from deep, the lead is back up to 22
Lexie Hull connects from range, she’s a perfect 4/4 tonight from deep.
Fever 87, Fire 65, 3:40 4Q
Fire still fighting, but Indiana continues to have answers on the other end
The Fever’s frontcourt continues to overwhelm Portland, Boston back to the line for two.
Fever 78, Fire 61, 5:09 4Q
Aliyah Boston continues to control the low block
Boston draws two consecutive fouls in the post on Luisa Geiselsoder, who fouls out.
Fever 76, Fire 55, 7:35 4Q
Fever take a 22 point lead into the final quarter
Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell are taking over, each has eclipsed 20 points tonight.
Fever 73, Fire 51, End of 3rd
Fever offense starts to slow down, defense still making Fire work for everything
Indiana’s defense continues to cause havoc, forces a Carla Leite travel in the half court.
Fever 61, Fire 44, 3:43 3Q
Defensive intensity ramped up by the Fever, causing trouble for Portland’s shot creators
A lot is going the Fever’s way early in the second half, still no Fire field goals almost three minutes through this frame.
Fever 59, Fire 38, 7:16 3Q
Fever take over in the second quarter, take a 16-point lead into the break
Mitchell leads the way for the Fever into halftime with 16 points, Boston finishes the half with 13.
Fever 53, Fire 37, Halftime
Fever start to take over, they are on an 11-2 run
Kelsey Mitchell connects on an open triple from the corner to extend Indiana’s run.
Fever 43, Fire 32, 3:01 2Q
Fire storm back, have scored the game’s last six points
A 10-4 Portland run makes it just a two-point ballgame, but the Fever get to the line after Billings is fouled in transition.
Fever 32, Fire 30, 5:05 2Q
Fire score early, but Fever bounce back to bring the lead back up to eight
Sophie Cunningham steps into a long two-point shot to end the Fire’s early run in the quarter, and Billings follows it with a fastbreak layup.
Fever 32, Fire 24, 7:52 2Q
Fever with a strong quarter, up eight and shooting 63% from the field after the first
The Fire get a late bucket from Carla Leite before time expires, as she pulls up from midrange.
Fever 26, Fire 18, End of 1st
Myisha Hines-Allen gets to the line for an and-1 on opportunity, rolling to the basket off a Tyasha Harris dish
The Fire starting to surge, but Indiana continues to have answers. The Fever lead by 8 with just under two minutes left in the frame.
Fever 19, Fire 13, 2:20 1Q
Indiana lead up to 8, Fire with no early answers for the Fever
Kelsey Mitchell is starting to heat up in Clark’s absence, she’s 3/4 for seven early points.
Fever 17, Fire 9, 4:39 1Q
Fever off to a very strong start, shooting 75% from deep early
Aliyah Boston off to a strong start in her return to the Fever lineup with five early points.
Fever 13, Fire 5, 6:42 1Q
Will Caitlin Clark play in Fever’s matchup with Portland Fire tonight, May 20?
Caitlin Clark was a late scratch due to a back injury, the team announced roughly 90 minutes before tip-off. Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters that she learned of it around 5 p.m. and she doesn’t expect it to be a lingering issue.
When do the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark play the Portland Fire tonight, May 20? Fever-Fire start time
The Indiana Fever play the Portland Fire at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday, May 20, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Where to watch Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark vs. the Portland Fire? What channel is the Fever-Fire game tonight, May 20?
TV: USA Network
Watch the Fever game on Sling
How can I stream Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark vs. the Portland Fire tonight, May 20? Stream the Fever-Fire
Watch the Fever vs. the Fire on Sling.
Watch the Fever game on Sling
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Will the Indiana Fever beat the Portland Fire? Indiana Fever predictions
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: With Caitlin Clark out, Aliyah Boston powers Fever past Fire in her return to the lineup
Reporting by Cameron Cocquyt, Scott Horner, Chloe Peterson and Brian Haenchen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
