INDIANAPOLIS – No point guards, no problem for the Fever on Saturday night, as they took down the Chicago Sky, 92-70, in a wire-to-wire win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 26 points and a season-high eight assists, while Lexie Hull contributed 17 in a comeback game. Sophie Cunningham put up 16 points, and Aliyah Boston had 15.
The Fever are 18-14 and will play Dallas at home on Tuesday.
Here are three observations:
Fever play with nine available players
Indiana was heavily shorthanded on Saturday night, as Sydney Colson (left ACL) and Aari McDonald (right foot) suffered season-ending injuries two days ago.
Those two injuries, along with a right groin injury that has kept Caitlin Clark out since July 15, left the Fever with nine available players against Chicago. Indiana couldn’t sign anyone to a hardship contract for Saturday night, as injured players have to miss a game before teams become eligible to use the exception.
The Fever were forced to play out of position as they were down three guards, frequently running with a big, forward-heavy lineup. They played a lot of zone defense against Chicago, which seemed to befuddle the Sky, as the Fever managed a double-digit, wire-to-wire win even with no point guard.
Kelsey Mitchell fills in as Fever point guard
With Clark’s ongoing injury and Colson and McDonald’s season-ending injuries, Indiana did not have a healthy point guard on their roster on Saturday night.
Kelsey Mitchell was the one to temporarily fill that gap. Mitchell usually plays off ball in the backcourt, but can play point if needed. And she excelled.
The eight-year guard had a season-high eight assists (with 1 turnover) on Saturday night, feeding into the two-man game with Aliyah Boston similarly to Clark or McDonald. She kept her scoring up, as well, with a team-high 26 points.
The Fever are planning to sign a point guard to a hardship contract before Tuesday’s game against Dallas. But, in an emergency, Mitchell can still keep the offense running.
Lexie Hull shines in comeback game
Coming into Saturday night, Lexie Hull had made just two of her last 25 3-point attempts. She was in a bit of a slump over the last five games, going just 4-for-26 while coming off the bench.
This win against Chicago was the game she needed to find her spark again.
Because of McDonald’s injury, Hull returned to the starting lineup on Saturday night. She, along with Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham, was forced to play out of position at times, as they were the only three healthy guards, but that didn’t faze her.
Hull made her first 3-pointer of the night in the first quarter, and the crowd jumped to their feet with a roar. Clark joined the celebration from the bench, too, clapping with a grin. It was exactly what Hull needed to find her shot again.
Hull proceeded to make her first three 3-pointers of the night, and the third one forced a timeout from Chicago as she chest-bumped Cunningham on the court.
Hull ended up finishing the game with 17 points on 4-of-5 3-point shooting — the first time since June 24 that she had double-digit points. It was a much-needed comeback game for both Hull and the Fever, who needed contributions and versatility from every healthy player on the roster.
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: No point guards? No problem. Indiana Fever blow out Chicago Sky 92-70
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
