Fever Falter Late, Lose to Sparks
INDIANAPOLIS–The Indiana Fever (9-9) were held scoreless over the final 1:43 and lost to the Los Angeles Sparks (6-13) Saturday night 89-87 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The Fever led by as many as 8 in the game. They led 87-83 with 1:43 left in the game when Kelsey Mitchell made a four-foot jumper. Then their offense struggled the rest of the way.
Rickea Jackson hit a shot to give the Sparks an 88-87 lead with 58 seconds to play. Azura Stevens made one of two free throws to make it 89-87 after she was fouled by Aari McDonald. The Fever’s hopes were dashed when Aliyah Boston missed a shot that would have tie the game with less than two seconds remaining.
Boston led all scorers with 23 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for Indiana. Natasha Howard had 21 points and 9 rebounds for the Fever while Kelsey Mitchell finished with 19 points.
The Fever were without the services of Caitlin Clark once again. She missed her fifth straight game with a groin injury.
Stevens led the Sparks in scoring with 21.
The Fever have a home game against the Golden State Valkyries at noon on Wednesday. You can hear the game on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan. The Fever lost to the Valkyries on June 19 88-77.
