Fever Finish Strong with 83-72 Win Over Top-Seeded Lynx

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Kelsey Mitchell scored 18 points as the Indiana Fever closed out their regular season with an impressive 83-72 victory over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night. The Lynx were without MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, who was rested ahead of the playoffs.

Indiana (24-20) came out hot, opening the game on a 10-0 run and building a lead that grew to as much as 24 points. The win marked a milestone for the Fever, who set a new franchise record for most wins in a season — all without their star rookie Caitlin Clark, who has only appeared in 13 games and will not play in the upcoming playoffs starting Sunday.

Veteran guard Odyssey Sims added 15 points for Indiana, while forward Aliyah Boston contributed 12 points and eight rebounds. Boston also broke her own team record for most rebounds in a single season, finishing with 361 boards.

For the Lynx (33-10), Jessica Shepherd stepped up in Collier’s absence and led the team with 16 points. Minnesota struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 2 of 20 three-point attempts. Alanna Smith’s triple early in the third quarter — the team’s first — brought the Lynx within four, cutting the deficit to 49-45. But the Fever quickly regained control and ended the third quarter up 70-53.

Despite clinching the top seed back on August 30, Minnesota has gone just 5-5 over its last 10 games. They’ll close out the regular season Thursday at home against Golden State.

Off the court, fans were treated to a special moment as Caitlin Clark and U.S. soccer legend Briana Scurry exchanged jerseys. Clark also received a pair of goalie gloves that Scurry wore during the 2007 World Cup.