The Indiana Fever ended a tense contest with a 96-77 victory over the Minnesota Lynx at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday, handing the Lynx a rare regular-season defeat and setting up a decisive rematch Thursday. Minnesota’s All-Star guard Olivia Miles missed the game with a left calf injury, a blow for the Lynx as they chase the top seed in the WNBA playoffs.
The loss means Minnesota must win the rematch in Minneapolis to secure the No. 1 seed. Coach Cheryl Reeve benched all starters at the start of the second half, sending a clear message after the Lynx labored early against a Fever side that played with much more energy and precision than in their previous encounter. The Lynx reserves responded by outscoring Indiana in the third quarter, cutting the deficit significantly, but the Fever held firm in the fourth to maintain control.
Tuesday’s game was a stark contrast to their high-scoring meeting in early August, which drew massive viewership and featured 208 combined points. This time, Indiana’s defense tightened and their offense found rhythm, especially in the first half with 17 assists on 18 made shots. Fever coach Stephanie White emphasized the need to play through tough moments, saying before the game that her team “gotta be willing to play through the mud” and work intentionally to find scoring chances beyond the initial action.
Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s All-Star center, had a slow start but eventually finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Boston had struggled in recent games, scoring just 15 points on 14 shots over two matches, and White expressed concern about getting her more involved. Boston’s improved performance on Tuesday helped steady the Fever’s attack and provided a focal point that had been missing.
Sophie Cunningham contributed 11 points after a quiet showing in Sunday’s game, while Kelsey Mitchell extended her streak of 20-point games to 27 with a late three-pointer. The Fever showed better ball movement and team chemistry than in recent outings, answering White’s call for more involvement from the bench.
The Lynx, meanwhile, face questions about their defense, having allowed 89 or more points in eight games since August began. Kayla McBride said the team needs a different attitude: “I want to see the ‘F you’ about us. Like I don’t care about the outcomes, I’m more concerned about our ‘F you’ towards the other team.”
Without Miles, who averages nearly 20 points and six assists per game, Minnesota struggled to find offensive flow. She was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff after a left calf injury that kept her sidelined despite practicing earlier in the day. Miles appeared to move comfortably during shootaround but left the arena with an ice pack on her leg. Fever coach Stephanie White acknowledged the impact of her absence, noting it “changes coverage” and “changes who their primary ballhandler is.”
The Lynx’s desperation was evident in Reeve’s decision to start the third quarter with reserves, hoping to spark a rally. The move briefly narrowed the gap, but the Fever’s steady performance in the fourth quarter preserved their lead. This loss leaves the Lynx with little margin for error heading into Thursday’s rematch, where Miles’ fitness and the Lynx’s defensive resolve will be under scrutiny.
According to Yahoo Sports.
