Pre-Review_WNBA: Indiana Fever at Dallas Wings

The Indiana Fever visit the Dallas Wings tonight in the final regular-season meeting between the teams. Indiana enters at 24-12, while Dallas sits at 20-16 and is fighting to strengthen its playoff position. The Fever won the previous meeting, 98-87, after Dallas led 37-35 at halftime.

The Wings will play their first game since the announcement that rookie guard Azzi Fudd will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Fudd had averaged 13.1 points per game and shot 39.7% from three before the injury.

1st quarter

Dallas wins the opening tip and immediately looks to establish Paige Bueckers with the ball in her hands.

Indiana is not interested in allowing Bueckers to control the tempo. The Fever pressure the Wings' ballhandlers and try to force Dallas into early-clock decisions.

The Fever respond through Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, attacking before Dallas can get its half-court defense completely organized.

At the first timeout, Indiana holds a narrow 8-6 lead.

Dallas settles down.

Bueckers gets loose for a couple of baskets, while Awak Kuier makes her presence felt defensively around the paint. The Wings begin finding better looks against Indiana's defense.

With 3:14 left in the first, Dallas has pulled even at 15-15.

Indiana answers with a Mitchell three-pointer followed by a Clark assist on a transition basket.

The Fever close the quarter with the better offensive rhythm, but Dallas remains within striking distance.

End of 1st: Fever 25 — Wings 21

2nd quarter

Dallas opens the second quarter with increased defensive pressure.

The Wings force Indiana into a couple of empty possessions and turn the stops into transition opportunities. Bueckers takes advantage of the extra possessions and helps Dallas reclaim the lead.

With 7:42 remaining in the half, Dallas leads 31-29.

Indiana refuses to let the game become a half-court grind.

Clark begins pushing the pace, while Aliyah Boston creates problems around the basket. Mitchell finds a rhythm from the perimeter, giving Indiana another offensive option when Dallas loads up on Clark.

The Fever put together a 9-2 run and move back in front, 38-33, with 5:21 left.

Dallas responds with Bueckers.

The rookie guard attacks the lane, scores through contact and then creates a three-point opportunity for a teammate. The Wings have regained their offensive confidence.

With less than two minutes remaining, Dallas trails only 43-41.

Indiana gets the final possession of the half and works the ball around until Clark finds an opening.

A late basket sends the Fever into the locker room with a small advantage.

Halftime: Fever 47 — Wings 43

3rd quarter

Indiana opens the second half looking to do what it did in the previous meeting: turn a close game into a decisive one.

Clark immediately pushes the ball up the floor, while Boston attacks the offensive glass.

A Mitchell three gives Indiana a 52-45 lead with 8:21 remaining in the third.

Dallas needs an answer.

Bueckers provides it.

She scores on consecutive possessions, then finds a teammate for an open three. Suddenly the Wings have erased most of the deficit.

Fever 54 — Wings 52 with 6:03 left in the quarter.

The game becomes a back-and-forth exchange.

Indiana gets a transition basket.

Dallas answers with a Bueckers jumper.

Mitchell knocks down another three.

The Wings respond with a second-chance basket.

With 2:18 remaining, Indiana holds a slim 63-60 advantage.

Dallas has an opportunity to take control before the quarter ends, but Indiana's defense forces two difficult possessions.

The Fever capitalize.

Clark creates a late three-point opportunity, and Indiana finishes the quarter with momentum.

End of 3rd: Fever 70 — Wings 64

4th quarter

Dallas enters the final period knowing it cannot allow Indiana to create separation.

The Wings immediately attack.

Bueckers gets into the paint for a basket, followed by a Dallas three-pointer.

In less than two minutes, the Fever lead has been cut to 70-69.

Indiana calls for patience.

Clark slows the pace, gets the defense moving and eventually finds Boston inside for a basket.

Mitchell follows with a jumper.

Fever 74 — Wings 69 with 7:41 remaining.

Dallas keeps coming.

Bueckers answers with another basket, and the Wings' defense forces an Indiana turnover.

A transition score makes it 74-73 with 6:12 to play.

The American Airlines Center is fully engaged.

This is exactly the type of late-game situation Dallas wanted.

But Indiana's experience shows.

Clark creates a driving lane and finds Mitchell on the perimeter. Mitchell knocks down the three.

Fever 77 — Wings 73 with 5:02 remaining.

Dallas cannot afford to trade baskets.

The Wings attack the paint and get two free throws, cutting the deficit to 77-75.

Indiana responds with Boston on the interior.

Then Clark gets a steal and pushes the ball ahead for a transition basket.

Suddenly, the Fever have created a little breathing room.

Fever 81 — Wings 75 with 2:54 remaining.

Dallas refuses to go away.

Bueckers scores again, and another defensive stop gives the Wings a chance to make it a one-possession game.

With 1:41 left, Indiana leads 81-78.

The next possession becomes critical.

Clark uses the clock, draws two defenders and finds Mitchell for another big shot.

The three-pointer stretches Indiana's lead to 84-78 with 1:08 remaining.

Dallas gets one more answer, but Indiana makes enough free throws down the stretch to prevent another comeback.

The Wings get a final opportunity with under 20 seconds remaining, but Indiana's defense forces a difficult shot.

The Fever secure the rebound.

Final: Fever 88 — Wings 82

Summary

Indiana survives another competitive battle with Dallas, completing the regular-season sweep and improving to 25-12.

The Fever's ability to respond whenever Dallas threatened to take control proves to be the difference. Clark controls the tempo, Mitchell provides the perimeter scoring, and Boston gives Indiana the interior presence it needs in the second half.

For Dallas, the result is disappointing, but the bigger story is how the Wings respond to life without Azzi Fudd. Fudd's absence removes one of Dallas' most important perimeter weapons, but Paige Bueckers gives the Wings a legitimate offensive centerpiece to build around. Fudd had been averaging 13.1 points, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting nearly 40% from three.

The Wings now have to find additional scoring and defensive consistency as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.

Indiana, meanwhile, continues to look like one of the league's most dangerous offensive teams. The Fever entered tonight ranked first in the WNBA in offensive rating, with Clark averaging 8.3 assists per game and Mitchell leading the team at 24.3 points per game.

Notable stats

Indiana Fever

Caitlin Clark — 22 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds

Kelsey Mitchell — 25 points, 4 three-pointers

Aliyah Boston — 18 points, 10 rebounds

Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers — 29 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds

Odyssey Sims — 12 points, 5 assists

Awak Kuier — 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks