The Indiana Fever are 0-1 without superstar Caitlin Clark.
The Washington Mystics defeated the Fever 83-77 on Wednesday in Indiana’s first game without Clark, who is expected to be sidelined at least two weeks with a left quad strain that dates back to the WNBA preseason.
The Fever’s DeWanna Bonner had a team-high 21 points off the bench. It marked a historic night for her — she’s the first player in WNBA history to reach 7,500 points, 3,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists. But Bonner’s big night was not enough in the end for the win.
Brittney Sykes had 21 points for Washington, nine rebounds and four assists, finishing just one rebound short of a double-double. Mystics rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron added 16 and 13 points, respectively.
The Mystics move to 3-3 on the season and end a three-game skid. (Washington’s three losses have been by a combined 11 points.) The Fever drop to 2-3 following back-to-back losses.
Fever vs. Mystics highlights
End of Q3: Mystics 60, Fever 53
The Mystics have a 60-53 lead over the Fever heading into the fourth quarter, which marks Washington’s largest of the game. Mystics rookie Lucy Olsen dropped back-to-back 3s in the third quarter and is up to six points on the night. Fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen has eight points and five rebounds.
Halftime: Mystics 44, Fever 40
The Mystics outscored the Fever 25-17 in the second quarter to take a four-point lead into the locker room at halftime. Washington’s Shakira Austin leads all scorers with 13 points off the bench, in addition to two rebounds and one steal. Rookie Sonia Citron added nine points, four rebounds and one assist. The Mystics are outscoring the Fever in paint points (30-18) and fast-break points (5-0). Meanwhile, Natasha Howard leads the Fever with 10 points and five rebounds, but has four turnovers. DeWanna Bonner added nine points off the bench for Indiana.
End of Q1: Fever 23, Mystics 19
No Caitlin Clark, no problem so far for the Fever. Indiana has a four-point lead over Washington heading into the second quarter, following a team-high eight points from Natasha Howard. The Fever are collectively shooting 50% from both the field and 3-point line, while the Mystics are only shooting 35% from the field and 25% from 3. Shakira Austin leads Washington with six points off the bench.
What time is Fever vs. Mystics?
The Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 28 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.
The Mystics typically play their home games at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., which seats 4,200, but are playing both of their home games against the Fever at the larger CFG Bank Arena (14,000 capacity).
How to watch Fever vs. Mystics WNBA game: TV, stream
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore
TV: NBA TV
Stream: Fubo
