INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever worked through a dismal first quarter and chippy game to beat the Phoenix Mercury 86-77 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.
It was a game that saw six total technical fouls, two challenges, multiple reviews and an ejection.
Caitlin Clark led the Fever (10-7) with 24 points and nine assists, while Kelsey Mitchell had 22 points and Monique Billings had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Here’s what I liked and disliked, and what the win means.
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What I liked in the Indiana Fever’s win vs Phoenix Mercury
What I disliked in the Indiana Fever’s win vs Phoenix Mercury
What the Indiana Fever’s win vs Phoenix Mercury means
The Fever had maybe the worst quarter of professional basketball in recent memory in the first, but they sure knew how to recover. Obviously, what led to that first quarter happening is something to work on for the Fever, but they managed to have two 30-plus point quarters following that dismal first in order to not only tie the game, but lead by as many as 20 points late in the game. They worked through the chippiness that came, too.
Watch out for Wednesday, when these two teams will play again. It’ll probably get chippy.
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 overcome dismal first quarter, beat the Mercury as tempers flare with DeWanna Bonner
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
