The Minnesota Lynx snapped their brief losing skid in thrilling fashion on Friday night, outlasting the Indiana Fever 95-90 in a high-octane WNBA showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This pivotal late-season clash was more than just another game on the calendar—it was a statement from two teams with distinctly different trajectories as the postseason looms.
With both squads missing their marquee stars—Caitlin Clark sidelined for the Fever (marking her 14th consecutive absence due to a right groin injury) and Napheesa Collier out for the Lynx (her seventh straight game missed with a right ankle issue)—the stage was set for other players to seize the spotlight. And seize it they did, especially Minnesota’s Kayla McBride and Jessica Shepard.
McBride, the veteran guard, was simply unstoppable. She poured in a game-high 29 points, connecting on 10 of her 19 shots and draining four of eight from beyond the arc. Her five assists and clutch defense, including a key block, kept the Lynx in striking distance through the Fever’s early shooting barrage. "I just wanted to be aggressive and set the tone," McBride said after the game, according to USA TODAY. "When we share the ball like we did tonight, good things happen."
But the night truly belonged to Jessica Shepard, who etched her name in franchise history by recording only the second triple-double ever for the Lynx. Shepard finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. Her performance was the engine behind Minnesota’s comeback after trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half. "I’m just trying to do whatever the team needs," Shepard told reporters. "We know we’re missing some key players, but this group is resilient."
For Indiana, the game was a gut punch in a season already marred by injuries. The Fever, who entered the night clinging to the sixth and final playoff spot, came out firing. Lexie Hull erupted for a career-high 23 points, including 11 in the opening quarter, while Kelsey Mitchell added 27 points and five assists. The Fever were red-hot from long range, knocking down 10 three-pointers in the first half alone and finishing 13-of-20 from deep—a scorching 65% clip. Hull’s sharpshooting and Mitchell’s relentless drives had the home crowd buzzing and gave Indiana a nine-point cushion after one quarter and a two-point lead at halftime.
Yet, as has been the story of their season, adversity struck. Already without Clark, the Fever’s backcourt was further depleted by the season-ending injuries to Sophie Cunningham (torn MCL), Aari McDonald (right foot), and Sydney Colson (left knee). Chloe Bibby was also ruled out with a knee issue. Despite the undermanned roster, Indiana refused to fold, riding the hot hands of Hull and Mitchell deep into the fourth quarter.
Minnesota, meanwhile, showed why they’re widely regarded as the team to beat this year. With a 29-7 record and their 14th playoff berth in 15 seasons already secured, the Lynx have overcome recent adversity of their own. Coming off back-to-back losses—including a nail-biter to the Atlanta Dream the previous night—the Lynx could have faltered. Instead, they rallied. The turning point came in the third quarter, when Minnesota erased the Fever’s 12-point lead and surged ahead, building a 14-point advantage of their own. The Lynx’s ball movement was crisp, their rebounding ferocious (they finished the first half with 22 boards to Indiana’s 14), and their defense tightened when it mattered most.
Still, the Fever weren’t done. Indiana clawed back, trimming the deficit to just five points in the final minutes. But every time the Fever threatened, McBride or Shepard had an answer—whether it was a timely three-pointer, a deft assist, or a crucial rebound. Minnesota’s supporting cast also stepped up: Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, and Courtney Williams provided steady minutes, while the Lynx’s collective experience shone through in crunch time.
On the Fever side, Hull’s performance was especially encouraging for coach Christie Sides, who praised her guard’s effort: "Lexie came out with incredible energy. She’s been working on her shot and it showed tonight." Kelsey Mitchell, too, was relentless, but the absence of Clark’s playmaking and Cunningham’s perimeter defense ultimately proved too much to overcome.
The loss leaves Indiana at 19-17, still in playoff position but with the Golden State Valkyries and Seattle Storm breathing down their necks. With less than three weeks left in the regular season, the Fever’s margin for error is razor-thin. Their upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier, with two more meetings against the Lynx—on August 24 in Minneapolis and September 9 back in Indianapolis—looming large. As for Clark, her return remains uncertain, and the Fever’s hopes may well hinge on whether their superstar can get healthy in time for a potential playoff run.
For Minnesota, Friday’s win was a much-needed boost. With Collier’s return still up in the air, the Lynx demonstrated they can weather the storm and win tough games on the road. Their six-game lead over the second-place Las Vegas Aces gives them some breathing room, but with the Aces riding a nine-game winning streak of their own, the race for playoff seeding is far from over.
The game was broadcast nationally on ION, with streaming options available on Fubo and the ION app, ensuring fans across the country could witness the drama unfold. For those in Dallas or Seattle, local broadcasts featured the Storm-Wings matchup instead, a testament to the WNBA’s growing national footprint.
As the dust settles, both teams are left to ponder what comes next. The Lynx, buoyed by their stars’ heroics and a deep, resilient roster, look every bit the championship contender. The Fever, battered but unbowed, must regroup and hope for some injury luck as they fight to keep their postseason dreams alive. One thing’s for sure: with two more clashes between these teams on the horizon, fans can expect plenty more fireworks before the regular season is done.
