Aliyah Boston erupted for 17 of her 22 points in the final quarter as the Indiana Fever overcame the Phoenix Mercury 107-101 on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. Alongside Boston’s impressive fourth quarter, Aari McDonald delivered a career-high 27 points, helping Indiana secure their third consecutive win.

Boston’s Impact Grows Despite Clark’s Absence

With star teammate Caitlin Clark sidelined for a fifth straight game due to a groin injury, Boston took on an even larger role. Though she was quiet offensively during the first three quarters, contributing mostly through rebounds and defense, she maintained a double-double streak with 12 rebounds. The Fever were ahead by just two points, 74-72, entering the final period.

Unstoppable Fourth Quarter Surge

Boston exploded out of the gate in the fourth quarter, scoring the Fever’s first 14 points. Her scoring run included 10 consecutive points between both teams, following a brief Phoenix lead by Kahleah Copper. Boston finished the game shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and an impressive 10-of-13 at the free-throw line. Indiana’s overall accuracy was strong, with a 51.6% shooting rate and 11-of-24 from beyond the arc.

Strong Performances from Key Phoenix Players

Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas was a formidable force, contributing 32 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. The Mercury began the game shooting very efficiently, with a 49.3% field goal percentage. However, turnovers plagued Phoenix, leading to 25 points for Indiana and hampering their ability to close out the game. Kahleah Copper added 22 points for Phoenix, which has now lost four of its last five games.

Game Progression and Momentum Shifts

Indiana held a 55-50 lead at halftime and extended it to 72-62 during the third quarter. Phoenix tightened the gap late in the third, scoring 10 of the final 12 points, with Sami Whitcomb scoring six during this run, leaving the Mercury only two points behind entering the final period.

The Fever initially trailed by 12 points in the first quarter and were down 30-20 going into the second. Indiana capitalized on eight Phoenix turnovers in the second quarter and made five of their eight first-half three-pointers, outscoring Phoenix 35-20 during that stretch.

McDonald’s Sharp Shooting Fuels Early Comeback

Starting with a 12-point run while trailing 35-26, Indiana’s offense blossomed largely due to McDonald, who scored seven of those points. She shot 6-of-7 overall and nailed all three of her three-point attempts in the first half. Despite six turnovers in the opening quarter that matched their field goals made, Indiana managed a comeback. Phoenix’s early scoring was led by Thomas, Copper, and Satou Sabally, providing a combined 21 points and helping the Mercury secure a 10-point lead at the end of the first period.

Significance of the Win and Outlook

This victory not only solidifies the Fever’s winning momentum but also showcases Aliyah Boston’s ability to elevate her game, especially in critical moments. Her fourth quarter performance could be a key factor moving forward as the Fever continue to compete without Caitlin Clark. Meanwhile, the Mercury face the challenge of reducing turnovers and finding consistent scoring to bounce back from recent losses.