The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky in their third meeting of the season at the United Center, continuing their dominance in the season series with a 3-0 record[1]. Caitlin Clark returned from injury, providing her trademark versatility and scoring ability for the Fever, who previously won their first two encounters (93-58 and 79-52) earlier in the year[1][3]. The game featured a strong response from the Fever after the Sky cut the deficit, with Indiana leading 65-54 at one point in the second half[1].
Kelsey Mitchell was instrumental for Indiana, maintaining her high scoring average, while Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston contributed significantly, particularly in the rebounding department[1]. The Fever’s defense was a difference-maker, racking up 10 steals and capitalizing on Chicago’s 14 turnovers to generate 20 points off those opportunities[8].
For the Sky, injuries continued to be a problem. Star forward Angel Reese, the WNBA’s leading rebounder, missed recent action due to a back issue, which significantly impacted Chicago’s presence in the paint and overall rebounding as they narrowly edged the Fever 21-19 on the boards in this contest[1][8]. Despite the absence, the Sky managed to keep the game competitive thanks to contributions from Kamilla Cardoso and veterans like Courtney Vandersloot, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Fever’s defensive pressure and efficient shooting.
The match was notable as the first WNBA game held at the United Center, drawing a sizable crowd and adding to the historic context of the Fever-Sky rivalry this season[1][7]. The Fever’s win strengthens their playoff prospects and maintains their momentum as a top Eastern Conference contender.