INDIANAPOLIS – Kelsey Mitchell’s 24 points along with double-doubles from Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith led the Indiana Fever (13-27) to an 87-72 victory against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the final game of the regular season. With Sunday’s win, Indiana reached 13 regular season wins for the second time since 2016. Indiana also won three games against Minnesota in a regular season for the first time in franchise history.
Mitchell’s 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the floor and 3-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc guided Indiana to the victory. Mitchell recorded her 28th game scoring at least 15 points this season, which allowed her to surpass Tamika Catchings in 2003 to set a franchise record for most 15+ point games in a season. Boston added 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the court for her 11th double-double of the season as she also pulled down 12 rebounds.
With her 13th double-double of the season of 16 points and 11 rebounds, Smith set a franchise record for most double-doubles in a season after being tied with Catchings in 2002 and Teaira McCowan in 2021 with 12.
Erica Wheeler contributed 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while rookie guard Grace Berger pitched in nine points, two assists and two steals.
Highlighted by Mitchell’s career-high five steals, Indiana recorded a season-high 13 steals. In addition, Indiana outscored Minnesota, 48-28, in the paint.
Indiana was guided to its highest scoring first quarter of the season by Mitchell’s 11 points and Smith’s nine points, both on 4-of-5 shooting from the court. In addition, Grace Berger added five points on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting clip, while Boston also contributed five points. After the first five minutes of play that featured four lead changes, the Fever took possession of the lead and held it through the remainder of the quarter after going on a 23-9 scoring run. The Fever ended the first frame leading 32-22 after shooting 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the floor.
Indiana shot 2-of-7 from the floor to begin the second quarter, allowing the Lynx to reduce the deficit to five points on one occasion. Indiana responded by making five consecutive shots to move back in front. Mitchell’s eight points combined with Smith and Wheeler’s five points each helped Indiana record its highest scoring half of the season leading 56-44.
After being outscored, 19-7, in the third quarter and entering the final frame tied with the Lynx, 63-63, Boston led Indiana to the win as she notched 12 points in the fourth quarter on a 6-of-8 shooting clip. Indiana held Minnesota to only two field goals on 13 attempts in the remaining 10 minutes of play, the Fever outscored the Lynx, 24-9, to close out their final regular season matchup with a victory.
The Lynx were led by Kayla McBride’s 24 points and Napheesa Collier’s 23 points. In addition, Collier rounded out her double-double with 10 rebounds. Diamond Miller followed behind with 11 points, and Dorka Juhász pulled down 10 rebounds.