In a commanding display at Chicago's United Center on Saturday night, the Indiana Fever once again proved their dominance over the Chicago Sky, cruising to a 79-52 victory despite missing their star guard Caitlin Clark. This marked the Fever's second blowout win against the Sky this season, underscoring Indiana's growing supremacy in this budding rivalry.
The absence of Caitlin Clark, who is sidelined with a left quadriceps strain, did little to slow the Fever's momentum. Clark, 23, has now missed four consecutive games due to the injury sustained in the May 24 loss to the New York Liberty. She confirmed prior to the game that she would not participate in this second matchup against Chicago, aiming instead for a return in the Fever's next contest against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, June 10.
Clark's injury was initially diagnosed as a Grade I or II strain by Coach Stephanie White, with an MRI confirming the left quad strain on May 26. The Fever have been cautious with their young star, who averages an impressive 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds this season. Clark herself emphasized a measured return, stating, "I’m not going to rush back if I’m not feeling 100%," though she expressed optimism about her recovery progress.
Without Clark, the Fever leaned heavily on the veteran prowess of Kelsey Mitchell, who led all scorers with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including one three-pointer, alongside five rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes of play. Mitchell's aggressive drives and ability to draw contact were pivotal, especially considering she played through a broken finger in her shooting hand. The Fever also received significant contributions from Natasha Howard, who added 13 points and five rebounds, and Aliyah Boston, who posted a well-rounded 11 points, five assists, and five rebounds.
Aliyah Boston's evolution as a playmaker was a highlight of the night. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft showcased her expanded offensive repertoire by leading all players with five assists, a notable uptick from her rookie average of 2.2 assists per game. Boston’s ability to facilitate the offense while maintaining her rebounding presence was instrumental in the Fever's balanced attack.
Another standout was Aari McDonald, who, despite being signed to a hardship contract due to the injuries to Clark and Sophie Cunningham, made a strong case for continued WNBA relevance. Coming off the bench, McDonald scored 12 points, added two assists, and recorded three steals, impressing with her two-way play and crisp passing. However, WNBA rules require her release once injured players return, making her performance a bittersweet audition.
The Fever's depth was further on display with DeWanna Bonner, who has noticeably stepped up in Clark's absence, averaging 12.3 points over the last four games compared to just 2.5 points in the season's first four contests. Bonner contributed six points and three rebounds in this game, providing veteran stability and scoring punch.
Indiana’s team effort was evident in their 31 rebounds and 20 assists, with assists on 20 of their 27 made baskets. Their shooting efficiency stood out as well, hitting 45.8% from the field and an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc (11-for-27). The Fever outscored the Sky 38-24 in the second half, pulling away to a 29-point lead by the end of the third quarter (68-39).
On the other side, the Chicago Sky struggled mightily, both offensively and emotionally, after losing veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a knee injury in the first quarter. Vandersloot, a 36-year-old five-time All-Star and seven-time league assists leader, was driving to the basket when fouled by Aari McDonald and fell, clutching her right knee. She was carried off the court and did not return, leaving the Sky without their floor general. Vandersloot had been averaging 12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in the season's first six games.
Vandersloot's injury had a clear emotional impact on the Sky. Coach Tyler Marsh and players acknowledged the toll, with Hailey Van Lith expressing the team's determination to find meaning in this difficult moment. The Sky’s offense faltered without their veteran leader, shooting a dismal 32.7% from the field and only 20% from three-point range (3-for-15). No Sky player reached double digits in scoring; Kamilla Cardoso and Rebecca Allen led with eight points apiece. Angel Reese, despite dominating the glass with 12 rebounds, managed just four points on 2-of-7 shooting and committed three turnovers.
The Sky’s 52 points equaled their worst scoring output this season and tied for the fifth-lowest in franchise history. The game was played before a sellout crowd of 19,496 at the United Center, marking the Sky’s first game at this venue.
Indiana's dominance over Chicago has been pronounced since Clark and Reese entered the league last year. The Fever hold a 5-1 record against the Sky in this span, including three straight wins by at least 19 points. The Sky have been outscored by a staggering 89 points over these six games, highlighting the growing disparity between the teams.
Notably, the Fever were also without Sophie Cunningham due to an ankle injury, and head coach Stephanie White was absent for personal reasons. Assistant coach Austin Kelly stepped in as acting head coach and orchestrated a smooth offensive flow, even without Clark on the floor. The Fever’s ability to maintain a high level of play under these circumstances underscores their resilience and depth.
Looking ahead, the Fever will travel to Atlanta to face the Dream on Tuesday, June 10, with hopes of welcoming Caitlin Clark back to the lineup. The Fever then return home to host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty the following Saturday, a nationally televised game on ABC and streaming on ESPN+. Meanwhile, the Sky face a challenging road trip with games against the New York Liberty, Atlanta Dream, and Connecticut Sun in the coming days.
The Indiana Fever's emphatic victory at the United Center sends a strong message: even without their star player, they possess the talent and teamwork to dominate. As Clark continues her recovery, the Fever look poised to build on this momentum and make a significant impact in the 2025 WNBA season.
