Kelsey Mitchell stood out as the top scorer with 29 points in the Indiana Fever’s 101-95 victory against the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday. Caitlin Clark, a standout player, contributed 24 points and seven assists, helping Indiana secure their fifth consecutive win. The game saw a strong performance from Brittney Sykes, who returned to the Tempo lineup after a two-month injury hiatus, recording 15 points, five assists, and two rebounds.
Despite Marina Mabrey’s 22-point effort for Toronto, the team suffered their 11th consecutive loss, with Aneesah Morrow setting a new franchise record with a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds off the bench. Sykes had been sidelined due to a left plantar fascia injury sustained in a match against the Fever on June 16, during which Toronto endured a 10-game losing streak in her absence.
Previously in contention for a playoff spot, the Tempo now hold the third-worst record in the WNBA, surpassing the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm, who have already been eliminated from the postseason.
The Fever, known for their high scoring, lived up to their reputation by scoring 96.2 points per game before the game. They excelled in three-point shooting, making 11 of 25 attempts (44%) and secured 50 points in the paint. On the other hand, Toronto, despite trailing and never leading by more than 17 points, displayed promising numbers. They managed 22 second-chance points compared to Indiana’s nine, outrebounded the visitors 41-32, and their bench contributed 38 points, overshadowing Indiana’s 20 points from the bench.
A crucial moment came when Mabrey hit a three-pointer in the final seconds while Toronto trailed by four, but the shot was invalidated by referees for a palming violation. Toronto’s offensive struggles continued, shooting 39.1% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range.
In the upcoming games, the Fever will face the Dallas Wings on Thursday, while the Tempo will take on the Washington Mystics on Wednesday.