The Indiana Fever have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, and their recent 92-70 victory over the Chicago Sky on August 9, 2025, is a testament to the team’s depth and determination. Missing star guard Caitlin Clark—who’s been sidelined since mid-July with a lingering groin injury—and reeling from the season-ending losses of Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald, the Fever could have easily let the season slip away. Instead, they rallied behind breakout performances from Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell, and others, notching a much-needed win to improve their record to 18-14 and stay firmly in the WNBA playoff hunt.
Clark, widely regarded as one of the most talented players ever to grace the WNBA, has been a focal point for the Fever since being drafted. Through just 13 games in the 2025 season, she averaged an impressive 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per contest—numbers that underscore her transformative impact on the court. Her absence since July 15 due to a groin injury has left a significant void, forcing the Fever to adapt on the fly. As of August 10, Clark had missed 18 games, including the last nine, with no definitive timeline for her return. The team, sitting fifth in the WNBA standings, knows her recovery is vital to any postseason aspirations.
Yet, in the face of these setbacks, Indiana’s supporting cast has stepped up in a big way. Against Chicago, Lexie Hull delivered her best performance of the season, scoring 17 points on five-of-nine shooting and breaking a 17-game streak without reaching double digits. Her confidence was evident, especially when she nailed a late three-pointer that brought the crowd to its feet. After the game, Hull credited her mindset shift and the support of her teammates for the breakthrough. "I saw the clock going down, so I was trying to pull out my inner Kelsey Mitchell," Hull laughed. "For me, it's focusing on doing the right thing, taking the right shots, being in the right place and focusing less on the outcome. Missed shots happen. It's going to happen in everyone's career. You just have to really focus on getting the next good one. That's the whole mindset."
Kelsey Mitchell, the team’s leading scorer on the night with 26 points, has been a steadying force throughout the season and a vocal supporter of her teammates. She praised Hull’s perseverance and highlighted the collective belief within the locker room. "I tell Lexie, I tell Sophie, I tell everybody, I trust in our group so crazily. It's all there. You just have to believe it. Lexie knows we believe in her," Mitchell said. "I want her to know we're going to count on her for what she brings to the table every night. I'm always going to stand by my team-mates. So you never have to worry about that."
Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston rounded out the Fever’s balanced attack, chipping in 16 and 15 points respectively. The team’s ability to spread the scoring load has been crucial, especially with so many key players out. On the other side, the Chicago Sky struggled to find any offensive rhythm, with no player scoring more than Rachel Banham’s 11 points. The loss dropped Chicago to 8-23, highlighting the contrasting trajectories of the two franchises as the regular season winds down.
The Fever’s victory is even more impressive considering the mounting injury list. Just a day before the game, the team learned that both Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald would miss the remainder of the season—Colson with a torn ACL and McDonald with a foot injury. These setbacks, combined with Clark’s ongoing absence, have left Indiana’s backcourt severely depleted. Still, the team has refused to make excuses. Instead, they’ve leaned on their depth and the next-player-up mentality that has become a hallmark of their season.
While Clark’s presence on the court is sorely missed, she remains an active and positive influence from the bench, cheering on her teammates and offering guidance whenever possible. Her leadership and competitive spirit have not gone unnoticed by fans or teammates alike. During a recent appearance on the "Bird’s Eye View" podcast, Clark reflected on her journey from Iowa Hawkeyes standout to WNBA sensation, and even hinted at her long-term ambitions. "Honestly, I might go back at one point in my life and coach college basketball," Clark revealed, giving fans a rare glimpse into her post-playing aspirations. With her deep basketball IQ and relentless work ethic, it’s easy to imagine Clark thriving on the sidelines someday, passing on her knowledge to the next generation.
For now, however, the Fever’s focus remains squarely on the present. The win over Chicago not only snapped a two-game losing streak but also provided a much-needed morale boost as the team navigates the final stretch of the regular season. With an 18-14 record, Indiana is well-positioned to secure a playoff berth, but the path ahead won’t be easy. The WNBA’s competitive landscape means every game counts, especially with postseason seeding and home-court advantage on the line.
Elsewhere in the league, the Golden State Valkyries also scored a crucial win, beating the Los Angeles Sparks 72-59. Veronica Burton led the way with 16 points, while Cecilia Zandalasini added 14 before halftime. The Valkyries’ victory improved their record to 15-15 and pushed them a game ahead of the Sparks in the Western Conference standings. It’s shaping up to be a dramatic finish across the league as teams jockey for playoff positioning.
Back in Indiana, the mood is one of cautious optimism. The players know they’ll need to maintain their current level of play—and perhaps even raise it—to overcome the adversity that’s defined their season. The hope is that Clark can return in time to make an impact, but until then, the Fever will continue to rely on their depth, grit, and unwavering belief in one another.
With just a handful of games left before the playoffs, Indiana’s fate remains in their own hands. If their performance against Chicago is any indication, this is a team that won’t go quietly. Whether Clark returns this season or not, the Fever have proven they’re more than just one superstar—they’re a resilient group with their eyes firmly set on a deep postseason run.
