By Lindsay Burke
The Indiana Fever fell to the Minnesota Lynx for the second time in three days after Sunday night’s 97-84 loss. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever in scoring yet again finishing with 26 points after going 7-for-12 shooting. It was difficult for the Fever to slow down MVP candidate Napheesa Collier who put up 32 points on the Indiana defense.
The Fever got off to a fast start much like they Friday night at home against the Lynx, but their pace quickly faded in this one. Despite taking another lead into halftime the Lynx came out fast and never looked back. They quickly cut into the Fever’s small lead and took full control of the game leading it the rest of the way.
One of the three hardship contract players for the Fever, Shey Peddy, is finding her comfort zone with her new team after scoring her season high 16 points. She’s been automatic beyond the arc after scoring three straight 3-pointers in her first game with the team. Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard each added double figures for the Fever. Boston finished with 14 points while Howard added 10.
Aerial Powers had a solid game for the Fever after signing a 7-day hardship contract Saturday due to Sophie Cunningham being out the remainder of the season with an MCL tear. She drained five points and added five rebounds with three assists. It’s unclear what the Fever will do if Caitlin Clark returns before the end of the season. She missed her 15th consecutive game Sunday, but there was a glimmer of hope that she is inching closer to her return after being seen in shootaround prior to their game against Minnesota.
The Fever won’t be able to keep all three hardship contract players if Clark were to return and will have some decisions to make if it happens by the end of the season. Despite their loss to the Lynx, they still find themselves in the middle of a tight playoff race. The loss dropped them from the 6th seed down the 8th seed. The top 8 teams get a playoff bid and the Fever finish the season with the toughest remaining strength of schedule. Their final opponents combine for a winning percentage of .587.
The Fever return home Tuesday night against the Seattle Storm.