WNBA fans around the globe prepared their popcorn for Wednesday\u2019s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, the second game in three days following Monday\u2019s emotional technical-foul filled duel.<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s showing didn\u2019t disappoint.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Mercury defeated the Fever 111-109 at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse during a nail-biting contest that came down to the wire. Phoenix improves to 6-13 while Indiana drops to 10-8, losing three of its last four games.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s a complete 40 minutes playing our defense and just manipulating the game,\u201d said Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas, who finished with 24 points and eight assists. \u201cWe just keep going.<\/p>\n
“We have plenty of talent and we believe in everybody that’s on this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both teams were dealing with injuries. Fever guard Caitlin Clark was ruled out in the third quarter with a back issue, leaving with 19 points and eight assists. The Mercury were without starters Natasha Mack (left foot) and Monique Akoa Makani (left hamstring), in addition to Sami Whitcomb (left knee arthroscopy), who has yet to play this season.<\/p>\n
Yet, the Fever and Mercury duked it out until the final whistle. The Mercury trailed by three points heading into the fourth quarter, which has been Phoenix\u2019s Achilles’ heels this season. The Mercury were 1-11 this year when trailing after the third quarter, but outscored the Fever 29-25 in the fourth to secure the win.<\/p>\n
Kahleah Copper finished with 28 points and was one of five Mercury players that reached double-digits. In addition to Thomas, Valeriane Ayayi had 19 points off the bench, DeWanna Bonner had 13 points and Noemie Brochant added 12 points.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Fever have now lost four games this season despite scoring 100 or more points. Kelsey Mitchell had 30 points in the loss. Aliyah Boston added 23 points and nine rebounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
USA TODAY provided live updates for Wednesday’s matchup between the Fever and Mercury. Catch up here:<\/p>\n
Aliyah Boston called for Flagrant 1 Foul<\/p>\n
Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper was called for a defensive foul against Indiana’s Aliyah Boston, but Boston’s elbow made contact with Copper’s face with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Fever trailed 100-98. After review, Boston was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for unnecessary contact.<\/p>\n
Mercury own a four-point lead<\/p>\n
With 3:24 to go in the game, Phoenix has a 100-96 lead. Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas are leading the way with 22 points apiece.<\/p>\n
End of Q3: Fever 85, Mercury 82<\/p>\n
The Mercury have struggled in the fourth quarter this season. Phoenix is 1-11 this year when trailing after the third quarter. The game has been pretty even to this point save the Fever outpacing the Mercury in made 3-pointers, 10-6. The Mercury, in turn, have 15 fast break points to 4 by the Fever.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark ruled out remainder of game<\/p>\n
Clark has been ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup against the Mercury with a back injury.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark sinks 3-pointer<\/p>\n
Nothing but net for Caitlin Clark. She’s closing in on a double-double with 19 points and eight assists.<\/p>\n
Halftime: Fever 55, Mercury 53<\/p>\n
The Fever and Mercury exchanged blows the first half and Indiana has a two-point advantage at halftime.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark leads the way with 16 points and seven assists. Kelsey Mitchell added 13 points and Aliyah Boston 10 points and four rebounds. The Fever have a 26-20 advantage in the paint, yet have given up 11 points on eight turnovers.<\/p>\n
“As long as we stay disciplined, we give ourselves a chance,” Mitchell said.<\/p>\n
DeWanna Bonner was a spark plug for the Mercury in the second quarter, scoring all 11 of her points in the frame. Two other Mercury players are in double digits: Kahleah Copper (14 points) and Alyssa Thomas (12 points, four assists, three rebounds). Phoenix got a little careless with the ball and committed seven turnovers themselves in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
Tyrese Haliburton attends Fever-Mercury game<\/p>\n
Indiana Pacers\u00a0guard\u00a0Tyrese Haliburton is sitting courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the\u00a0Indiana Fever’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury\u00a0yet again. He also attended Monday’s matchup and even dished out an assist. After the ball got lodged behind the backboard with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter, Haliburton used a Fever court mop to poke it free so play could resume. He gave a triumphant fist pump afterwards.<\/p>\n
WATCH:\u00a0Tyrese Haliburton gives Indiana Fever an assist with stuck ball<\/p>\n
DeWanna Bonner fired up after and-one<\/p>\n
DeWanna Bonner made a layup with 4:49 remaining in the second quarter to come within one point of the Fever, 44-43. She was fouled on the play by Indiana’s Monique Billings and gave a triumphant roar. Bonner cashed in on the 3-point play at the free throw line to tie to the game as boos rained down at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark fouled on 3-point attempt<\/p>\n
For the second time o the game, Caitlin Clark was fouled on a 3-point shot. Clark landed on Phoenix’s Valeriane Ayayi on a 3-point attempt with 6:25 remaining in the second quarter as the Fever lead 41-38. Clark made all three free throws to extend the Fever’s lead to 44-38.<\/p>\n
End of Q1: Fever 35, Mercury 29<\/p>\n
Wednesday’s matchup between the Fever and Mercury ha been a high-scoring affair so far.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark (13 points) and Kelsey Mitchell (10) combined for 23 of the Fever’s 35 first-quarter points. The Fever are shooting a staggering 72% from the field and 71% (5-of-7) from the 3-point line. However, Indiana has kept Phoenix in the game by conceding eight points on five turnovers. (The Mercury only have one turnover so far.)<\/p>\n
Kahleah Copper has a team-high eight points for the Mercury. Alyssa Thomas added six points.<\/p>\n
Fever get off to hot start vs. Mercury<\/p>\n
The Fever scored six points in the first quarter on Monday against the Mercury. Wednesday has been a completely different story. The Fever are up to 23 first-quarter points with 3:33 remaining, led by 11 points from Caitlin Clark, who is shooting 3-of-5 from the field including 2-of-3 from the 3-point line.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark sinks 3-pointer<\/p>\n
The Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury traded buckets early and both were knocking down 3-pointers early. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark hit a shot from beyond the arc with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter and Lexi Held answered back on the next possession to retake the lead, 14-13.<\/p>\n
Fever vs. Mercury tips off<\/p>\n
We’re underway at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
What time is Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury?<\/p>\n
The Indiana Fever host the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury: TV, streaming<\/p>\n
Date: Wednesday, June 24Time:\u00a07:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT)Location:\u00a0Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)TV:\u00a0USA Network<\/p>\n
Indiana Fever starters<\/p>\n
Caitlin ClarkKelsey MitchellLexie HullMonique BillingsAliyah Boston<\/p>\n
Phoenix Mercury starters<\/p>\n
Alyssa ThomasKahleah CopperLexi HeldDewanna BonnerNo\u00e9mie Brochant<\/p>\n
DeWanna Bonner will start vs. Fever<\/p>\n
Dewanna Bonner is sliding into the starting lineup for the Mercury after Natasha Mack was ruled out with a left foot injury. It will mark Bonner’s eighth start of the season and 411th start of her career.<\/p>\n
Phoenix Mercury injury report<\/p>\n
The Phoenix Mercury are down key starters. Natasha Mack (left foot) and Monique Akoa Makani (left hamstring) were both ruled out ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Fever. Jovana Nogi\u00c4\u0087\u00a0(NWT) and Sami Whitcomb (left knee arthroscopy) have also been ruled out.<\/p>\n
Is Caitlin Clark playing tonight?<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark (back) was upgraded from probable to available on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Mercury vs Fever prediction<\/p>\n
Fever 86, Mercury 82:\u00a0The Phoenix Mercury will be extra motivated following Monday\u2019s dust-up with the Fever, especially with their season hanging in the balance. However, Indiana\u2019s high-powered offense will be too much to contain.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Cydney Henderson<\/p>\n
Mercury 80, Fever 73: After the outpouring of emotions and five technicals on Monday, the Mercury have a point to prove. They will focus on defense to lock down the Fever for a victory.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Heather Burns<\/p>\n
Fever 80, Mercury 78: I don\u2019t think the Mercury will get punked like they did on Monday, where they let Indiana erase a double-digit deficit, but the fact is that the Fever have more talent and are playing better basketball right now. \u2014 Mitchell Northam<\/p>\n
Fever 87, Mercury 80: Fever will get the Mercury again. It’ll be closer, but Mercury still won’t be able to get out of the loss column. Their defense has let them down a lot this season, and until they fix it, this will continue to happen. \u2014 Meghan L. Hall<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark stats<\/p>\n
Caitlin Clark is averaging a career-high 23.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.2 assists through 16 games (all starts). Clark’s 8.2 assists per game ranks second in the league, trailing Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas (8.4).<\/p>\n
Aliyah Boston stats<\/p>\n
Aliyah Boston is averaging 16.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists through 16 games (all starts). She’s recorded double digits in all but three games this season and is up to five double-doubles on the year.<\/p>\n
Kahleah Copper stats<\/p>\n
Kahleah Copper is averaging 19.2 points, 3.6 rebound and 1.8 assists in 17 games (all starts). She leads the Mercury in scoring.<\/p>\n
Noemie Brochant stats<\/p>\n
Noemie Brochant is averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 18 games (12 starts).<\/p>\n
How many technical fouls does Caitlin Clark have?<\/p>\n
Indiana Fever guard\u00a0Caitlin Clark has five technical fouls this season. If she gets to eight,\u00a0she will get an automatic one-game suspension.<\/p>\n
Clark’s technical foul\u00a0received during a June 22 victory over the Phoenix Mercury is being reviewed, the WNBA confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The WNBA issued this statement after it was reported incorrectly that the technical would not be rescinded.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs per WNBA policy, after each game the league reviews all technical fouls.\u00a0 Teams have the ability to provide additional information to the league and request a called technical foul to be overturned.\u00a0 We are in the process of reviewing a request from the Indiana Fever submitted today to rescind Caitlin Clark\u2019s technical foul assessed at 07:57 of the fourth period during Monday night\u2019s game against the Phoenix Mercury.” \u2014\u00a0Heather Burns<\/p>\n
WNBA All-Star fan voting results<\/p>\n
Fever center Aliyah Boston and\u00a0guard Caitlin Clark\u00a0are now leading the voting after the second round of returns. Boston has 683,996 votes and Clark, 670,510. Boston is averaging 16.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game, while Clark ranks third in the league in scoring this season with 21.3 points a game.<\/p>\n
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will be played in Chicago at United Center on Saturday, July 25 (ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET). WNBA players and media will join fans in selecting the All-Star starters. Fans will account for 50% of the vote and current players and media will make up 25% each. Read full details here. \u2014\u00a0Heather Burns<\/p>\n
Indiana Fever roster<\/p>\n
#NAMEPOSEXPHTCOLLEGE0Kelsey MitchellG85′ 8″Ohio State2Myisha Hines-AllenF86′ 1″Louisville3Raven JohnsonGRookie5′ 9″South Carolina7Aliyah BostonC36′ 5″South Carolina8Sophie CunninghamG76′ 1″Missouri10Lexie HullG46′ 1″Stanford12Damiris DantasC126′ 4″Brazil13Justine PissottCRookie6′ 4″Vanderbilt14Grace VanSlootenFRookie6′ 3″Michigan State21Makayla TimpsonF16′ 2″Florida State22Caitlin ClarkG26′ 0″Iowa23Bree HallG16′ 0″South Carolina25Monique BillingsF86′ 4″UCLA52Tyasha HarrisG65′ 10″South Carolina<\/p>\n
Phoenix Mercury roster 2026<\/p>\n
#NAMEPOSEXPHTCOLLEGE1Noemie BrochantFRookie5′ 10″France2Kahleah CopperG106′ 1″Rutgers4Natasha MackF56′ 4″Oklahoma State5Shay CiezkiGRookie5′ 7″Indiana8Monique Akoa MakaniG15′ 11″Cameroon10Lexi HeldG15′ 10″DePaul11Valeriane AyayiG116′ 0″France20Sha CarterGRookie6′ 0″Florida Gulf Coast24DeWanna BonnerG176′ 4″Auburn25Alyssa ThomasF126′ 2″Maryland31Kyara LinskensC16′ 4″Belgium33Sami WhitcombG95′ 10″Washington77Marta SuarezFRookie6′ 3″TCU<\/p>\n
DeWanna Bonner ‘fit did not work out’ with Fever<\/p>\n
Bonner signed a one-year contract with the Fever in 2025 and briefly played in Indiana for nine games (three starts) before being waived on June 22, 2025, stating the “fit did not work out.”<\/p>\n
“I appreciate the organization’s willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career,” Bonner\u00a0said\u00a0in a statement. “I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players.”<\/p>\n
Bonner went on to sign with the Phoenix Mercury and helped the team reach the 2025 WNBA Finals.<\/p>\n
Upon her return to Indiana on Monday, Bonner was booed by the crowd after knocking down a 3-pointer in the second quarter. Bonner finished with seven points and three rebounds off the bench in the loss.<\/p>\n
Fever vs. Mercury preview<\/p>\n
The Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury meet yet again.<\/p>\n
Two days after tensions boiled over in the Fever’s 86-77 win over the Mercury on Monday, resulting in six technical fouls and one ejection, both teams will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for their second matchup in three days.<\/p>\n
Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and Myisha\u00a0Hines-Allen, in addition to Phoenix’s Dewanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, all received technical fouls following an altercation in the fourth quarter. Hines-Allen was ejected the following possession after picking up her second technical on a hard foul and shove of Thomas.<\/p>\n
“I appreciate (Myisha Hines-Allen) having my back,” said Clark, who finished just short of a double-double with 24 points and nine assists. “It’s nice to have a teammate like that that’s always going to go to battle for their teammates. I thought we did a good job of refocusing.”<\/p>\n
Both teams will turn the page heading into Wednesday, but Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said the chaos will likely serve as a motivator for players on both sides, especially the Mercury, who coughed up a 16-point lead.<\/p>\n
“That’s the beauty of playing these back to backs. You really get an opportunity to look at the film and make improvements,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “It got a little chippy in the fourth. I’m sure they’ll remember it and I know we’ll remember it too… we’ve got a competitive group… They’re not afraid of the smoke.”<\/p>\n
WNBA scoring leaders<\/p>\n
Through Tuesday, June 23:<\/p>\n
1. A’ja Wilson\u00a0LVA25.12. Kelsey Plum\u00a0LAS23.93. Caitlin Clark\u00a0IND21.34. Kelsey Mitchell\u00a0IND20.95. Brittney Sykes\u00a0TOR20.1<\/p>\n
When do the Indiana Fever play next?<\/p>\n
The Indiana Fever will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, June 27 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n