The Indiana Fever are hanging on to WNBA playoff position by a thread after a 85-79 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The Fever are eighth in the standings, one game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks for the final spot. Indiana has three games remaining.
Kelsey Mitchell scores 29 points, Lexie Hull 18 and Aliyah Boston 11 for the Fever. Indiana has 12 offensive rebounds but shoots just 41.1% from the field.
Alyssa Thomas has 23 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists to lead Phoenix, and former Fever player DeWanna Bonner adds 19 off the bench.
The Fever host the Chicago Sky (9-30) on Friday.
WNBA standings, playoff race
Golden State (22-18) won Tuesday night to keep sixth place; Seattle (22-20) is seventh; the Fever (21-20) are eighth; Los Angeles (19-20) is ninth. Eight teams make the playoffs.
Indiana Fever show life in fourth quarter vs Phoenix Mercury
Mercury 73, Fever 67, 5:45 left 4Q: Indiana scores 5 straight points. Timeout, Phoenix.
Kelsey Mitchell heats up again, but Phoenix Mercury maintain lead on Indiana Fever
Mercury 67, Fever 57, end 3Q: Kelsey Mitchell is up to 22 points for Indiana. Alyssa Thomas has 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for Phoenix.
Indiana Fever trail Phoenix Mercury
Mercury 62, Fever 47, 4:38 left 3Q: Indiana had trimmed its deficit but Phoenix restores it. The Mercury have 22 assists on 25 made baskets. The Mercury’s Kahleah Copper hobbles off the court.
Phoenix Mercury lead Indiana Fever at halftime
Mercury 54, Fever 39: Kelsey Mitchell scored all 15 of her points in the first half for the Fever and has 3 steals, Lexie Hull has 10 points and Aliyah Boston has 8 points and 4 assists.
Phoenix is shooting 60% from the field, including 6-of-11 3-pointers, and has a 19-2 edge in bench scoring. The Mercury add 7 points to their lead in the final 2 minutes of the half.
Phoenix Mercury surge against Indiana Fever
Mercury 44, Fever 36, 2:16 left 2Q: Alyssa Thomas is well on her way to an eighth triple-double this season: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. DeWanna Bonner has 11 points.
Phoenix Mercury lead Indiana Fever in second quarter
Mercury 33, Fever 30, 5:44 left 2Q: Lexie Hull is up to 7 points for Indiana. Former Fever player DeWanna Bonner has 7 points off the Phoenix bench.
Kelsey Mitchell keeps Indiana Fever close to Phoenix Mercury
Mercury 25, Fever 23, end 1Q: Kelsey Mitchell has 15 points, including 3-of-4 3-pointers, to lead Indiana. Kahleah Copper has 9 points for Phoenix.
Phoenix Mercury take early lead on Indiana Fever
Mercury 17, Fever 14, 4:17 left 1Q: Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell has 8 points. Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas has 8 points and 3 assists. It’s Natasha Howard’s 34th birthday, and she scores the game’s first basket.
Fever vs. Mercury starting lineups
Fever: Kelsey Mitchell, Nathasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, Odyssey Sims
Mercury: Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Natasha Mack, Satou Sabally, Monique Akoa Makani
Injuries are even hitting the Indiana Fever coaching staff
Start time for Indiana Fever vs. the Phoenix Mercury today, Sept. 2? When do the Indiana Fever play the Phoenix Mercury today, Sept. 2?
10 p.m. ET Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at PHX Arena in Phoenix.
How can I watch the Indiana Fever tonight? What channel is Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury on today, Sept. 2?
TV: WTHR in Indianapolis, with Pat Boylan (play-by-play), Debbie Antonelli (analyst), Kelsie Kasper (sideline); NBA TV
Will Caitlin Clark play again this season? Is Caitlin Clark playing today against the Mercury?
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has taken in part in practice with contact since suffering a groin injury in July, coach Stephanie White said Sept. 2.
Do the Indiana Fever have a chance to make the playoffs? WNBA standings, playoff picture
Through Sept. 1; eight teams make the playoffs; x-clinched playoff berth; y-eliminated
Where to stream the Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury on today, Sept. 2?
Watch Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury on Fubo
How do I listen to Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury on today, Sept. 2?
Radio: 93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with John Nolan (play-by-play), Bria Goss (analysis)
Caitlin Clark stats
In 13 games this season, Caitlin Clark averages 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals, making 27.9% of her 3-pointers.
Did the Indiana Fever win last night?
The Indiana Fever lost to the Golden State Valkyries 75-63 on Sunday. Golden State made 9 of its first 10 3-pointers and Indiana struggled shooting throughout.
Are the Fever favored over the Mercury tonight, Sept. 2?
via BetMGM
Favorite: Mercury by 7.5 points
Over/under: 166.5 points
Moneyline: Fever +280, Mercury -350
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Mercury a 54% chance of winning.
Fever vs Mercury tickets today, Sept. 2
Get tickets to Fever vs Mercury on StubHub
Have the Fever beaten the Mercury in 2025? Fever vs. Mercury results in 2025
Indiana is 1-1 against Phoenix this season, both teams winning at home.
Fever upcoming schedule
End of the regular season
Chloe Peterson is your best Fever follow, watch IndyStar TV for more coverage and sign up for our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever live updates, highlights today: Fever lose, on edge of playoff race
Reporting by Scott Horner and Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
