Fever Burn Bright: Indiana Torches Wings as Clark and Company Dominate Dallas

The Indiana Fever closed out their five-game homestand in sizzling style Sunday afternoon, scorching the Dallas Wings 102–83 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a performance that was nothing short of electric.

It was a marquee matchup, billed as the first professional showdown between two of the most celebrated young stars in women’s basketball — Indiana’s floor general Caitlin Clark and Dallas rookie sensation Paige Bueckers. While Bueckers poured in a game-high 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting, the Fever’s five-alarm offense proved too hot for the Wings to handle, and Clark delivered a masterclass in playmaking to lead her team to victory.

After a tightly contested first quarter saw Indiana clinging to a 28–27 lead, the Fever caught fire in the second period, turning up the heat and leaving the Wings grounded. Indiana outscored Dallas 36–15 in the quarter, fueled by relentless transition offense, crisp passing, and stifling defense that generated easy buckets. The Fever’s 64 first-half points were not only a season high but also set a franchise record for most points in a half — and the most scored by any WNBA team in a half this season.

Caitlin Clark orchestrated the offense brilliantly, racking up her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and a dazzling 13 assists, while committing just two turnovers. It was her 19th career game with at least 10 assists, and her vision and creativity repeatedly carved up the Wings’ defense like a hot knife through butter. Clark also contributed on the other end of the floor, swiping a team-best five steals, showing that her defensive instincts are coming along just as quickly as her offensive brilliance.

Kelsey Mitchell led the balanced scoring attack with 20 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting night, continuing her streak of consistent offensive output. Indiana also got significant contributions from its frontcourt: Aliyah Boston anchored the paint with 16 points and nine rebounds, and rookie Makayla Timpson added 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting, continuing her own upward trend as an interior presence.

In all, the Fever put five players in double figures, handed out 29 assists (just one shy of the franchise record), and scored a season-high 58 points in the paint, showcasing a true team effort. The defense also forced 18 Dallas turnovers, turning them into 25 points the other way.

For the Wings, Bueckers showed why she was the top overall pick, hitting a variety of mid-range jumpers and showing her trademark craftiness, but Dallas simply couldn’t keep pace with Indiana’s blistering second-quarter run. Arike Ogunbowale, still working back from a thumb injury, struggled, going 0-for-10 from the field in 21 minutes.

The win improved Indiana’s record to 11–10 and gave them back-to-back victories to close the homestand at 3–2. With 201 points over their last two games, the Fever seem to have found an offensive rhythm just in time for a challenging two-game road trip to Connecticut and New York before the All-Star break.

Sunday’s win also further solidified Clark’s growing reputation as not just a scorer but a true conductor of the orchestra, capable of making everyone around her better. Her no-look feeds and full-court dimes brought the home crowd to its feet time and again, and the Fever as a whole seemed to feed off that energy.

The rematch with Bueckers and the Wings comes August 1 in Dallas, and if Sunday was any indication, Indiana will come into that matchup with plenty of confidence — and plenty of fuel left in the tank.