It was the second-largest margin of victory for the Fever in franchise history (38). The game was close throughout much of the first quarter, and Indiana only led 22-17 after that period. The rest of the action featured a 71-41 edge for the home team — an average of a +10 margin per quarter across the last three frames. Indiana was at their best to close the first half and third quarter, and they never looked back.
“Feels pretty great,” center Aliyah Boston said of the victory while also looking forward at the rest of the season. “This is a great first win.”
93 points is impressive on its own. In Indiana Fever franchsie history, they’ve only hit that number in a game 41 times. Yet nine of them have come since Caitlin Clark was drafted in 2024. The current version of the Fever can score in bunches, and their improved talent was able to do so again during the rout of the Sky.
Everyone knows Indiana can score. They will almost certainly score 93 points in a single game again this season. That’s why the 58 stands out more on the final scoreboard. Chicago scored more than 58 points in 38 of their 40 games last season, and the fewest the Fever allowed in one 2024 outing was 70. New head coach Stephanie White hoped her team would be more effective on defense this year, and they got off to a great start on the less glamorous end of the floor.
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“I thought we were disruptive. I thought we came with a level of physicality. Anytime you can keep a team in this league to under 20 points in quarters, that’s important,” White said. “They didn’t get a lot of clean catch-and-shoot looks.It wasn’t perfect, but we played through our deficiencies, we played through our lapses in coverage. We played through mismatches, and we played with multiple levels of effort, and that’s what it takes.”
Statistically, Indy’s team made plays on the defensive end. They had 13 steals, more than in any game last season, and they combined it with 10 blocks, which would have been their second-best figure in 2024. They stopped Chicago with emphatic plays throughout the night, and it led to a 16-11 edge in fast break points.
What made it a special might for the Indiana Fever on defense was the rest of the possessions, though. Nothing came easy for the Sky, who shot just 29.1% from the field. They couldn’t make a thing, and that included a poor day at the foul line (6/12). It was just the 16th time ever that a team shot below 30% from the field in a game against the Fever, per Across The Timeline.
The Fever hoped they would grow on defense this season. They’ve been bottom-two in defensive rating in each campaign since 2016. The team follows what they call the three A’s principle on the defensive end: activate, anticipate and be aware. In their first game, they did exactly that.
“Just being super aware,” Boston said of her team’s defense. “I think throughout the entire game, we were communicating about what we saw… And also just like making them feel us, making them think about our pressure versus the play that they want to run.”
It’s too early to say exactly what one game means. It might end up being the Fever’s defensive night of the season. The Sky, with a new head coach and system, could simply be a poor offensive team right now. More data and game action will determine the true defensive level of the Indiana Fever this season. But opening night showed a high peak, and one that the team will be proud of.
They’re 1-0 as a result. Clark had a triple double, Boston was terrific after a few ugly misses early, and Natasha Howard had a wide-ranging impact. The Fever have to be happy with how their season started, and they’ll look to keep improving when they host the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday.
The 35-point win comes with many important notes outside of the Indiana Fever playing dominant defense.
Clark and Angel Reese shrug off fouls, tiff
With 4:38 to go in the third quarter, Clark fouled Sky forward Angel Reese as Reese turned to attempt a layup. Clark, who later shared that she committed what she likened to a take foul to prevent an open layup, wrapped up Reese and was given a flagrant foul upon further review.
Reese instantly seemed unhappy with the play and walked towards Clark after climbing off the hardwood. Boston intervened, and the two teams were separated. During the review of Clark’s foul, both Boston and Reese were assessed technical fouls.
Clark and Reese, two incredibly popular players who have faced off in marquee games for years, are perceived as rivals — thought both players have denied that they, or their teams, deserve that rivalry label. “I think it’s just a great display of basketball,” Clark said of the matchup between the Fever and Sky last season.
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The outside perception of the two, and their emotions, certainly elevated that play. After the game, both players shot down the idea that there was anything more to the foul and follow up than basketball. “Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” Reese said postgame.
Clark laregly agreed that it was nothing more than a basketball play, though she didn’t think it should have been a flagrant foul. “Let’s not make it anything that it’s not. It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the refs saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion after watching the initial whatever happened during the play, and then whatever happened after,” Clark began. “We watch a lot of basketball. It’s a take foul to put them at the free throw line. We’re not going to give up two points. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious, that’s not the type of player that I am. This wasn’t anything like that. I went for the ball. It’s clear as day in the replay. You watch it. It shouldn’t have been upgraded. But again, that’s up to the ref’s discretion.”
WNBA investigating fan behavior during Fever-Sky
The WNBA is investigating hateful fan comments allegedly made during the game. “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter,” the league said in a statement. The WNBPA followed up with a statement that read “The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterday’s game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA’s current investigation into this matter. Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport. Under the WNBA’s “No Space for Hate” policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star reported that “The situation is related to allegations of racial comments directed at Sky forward Angel Reese by fan(s) in the crowd.” The Fever, via CEO Mel Raines, put out a statement earlier today. “We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday’s game and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation. We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.”
The No. 1 overall picks showed their value
A few times throughout training camp, Boston noted that her slow start last season came partially as a result of adjusting to a much faster play style. Clark entered the mix in 2024, and Indiana sped up dramtically.
This year, the two have chemsitry built in from their first season together. They are ready to play fast, and they got off to a great start. Clark had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists while Boston added 19 points and 13 rebounds. They combined for nine blocks as well.
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Of Clark’s 10 assists, six went to Boston. Their chemsitry was strong. Every team that has made the first overall pick in consecutive WNBA drafts has gone on to win a championship. Clark and Boston look to continue the trend and had a strong start to year two.
