Fever Lose Grip in Fourth Quarter Collapse
The Fever were actually looking sharp for most of the night—despite a rocky shooting performance. At the end of the third, Indiana was up 58–50. They weren’t lighting it up from the field, but they were capitalizing on the Sparks’ sloppiness. L.A. handed over possession again and again, racking up 15 turnovers in the first half alone.
Then the fourth quarter hit—and it was like someone flipped a switch for the Sparks. They cleaned up their game entirely and didn’t commit a single turnover in the final frame. That calm under pressure let them chip away at Indiana’s lead with precision.
A 19–8 run by Los Angeles to open the quarter flipped the game on its head, giving the Sparks their first lead since early in the night. And just when it seemed like the Fever might battle back, it was the little mistakes—missed shots, lapses on defense, and poor rebounding—that sealed their fate.
💥 One Sequence Changed Everything
Let’s talk about the gut-punch moment that essentially ended the game. With just a minute on the clock and the Sparks holding a narrow two-point lead, Rickea Jackson missed a layup—but Dearica Hamby crashed the boards hard, snagged the offensive rebound, and muscled it in for two. She also drew a foul on Sophie Cunningham, though she missed the free throw.
No problem. Azura Stevens was there to clean up the miss, grabbing another offensive rebound, laying it in, and drawing a foul herself. She sank the free throw, completing a wild five-point swing that buried the Fever for good.
That kind of hustle by L.A. in the final minute speaks volumes—and highlighted Indiana’s late-game breakdown.
🚑 Caitlin Clark Sits Out with New Groin Injury
The other huge headline of the night? Caitlin Clark was a late scratch due to a left groin injury. That’s right—just when Fever fans were hoping she’d shake off a brutal West Coast road trip, she got hit with a new physical setback.
Clark had already missed five games earlier this season with a left quad strain, but this groin injury is a new one. According to Fever coach Stephanie White, the pain flared up after returning from their recent seven-day road trip. Clark underwent an MRI, and while White didn’t confirm the exact nature of the injury, she said the star rookie is officially “day-to-day.”
It’s no secret Clark was in a slump before this injury news broke. During the road swing out west, she went just 1-of-23 from beyond the arc. For the first time in her pro career, she failed to hit a single three-pointer in two separate games on that trip.
Whether the slump contributed to the injury—or vice versa—remains unclear. What is clear, though, is that Indiana missed her presence badly against the Sparks.
💡 Even on an Off Night, Fever's Defense Shined Early
Despite shooting a dismal 29.7% from the field in the first half (just 11-of-37), Indiana still found themselves in the lead. That was almost entirely due to their aggressive, high-pressure defense.
The Sparks hit a deep scoring drought spanning nine minutes—from the 2-minute mark of the first quarter through nearly six minutes into the second. The Fever capitalized on that cold streak by turning up the defensive pressure.
Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston were monsters on the defensive end. Both players had four steals apiece in the first half, helping Indiana force 15 turnovers and take 10 more shots than the Sparks over the first 20 minutes. That defensive grit kept them afloat until the fourth-quarter wheels fell off.
🏀 Up Next: A Tough Matchup in Dallas
Things won’t get any easier for the Fever, who now travel to Dallas to face off against the Wings on Friday. The Wings are led by Paige Bueckers, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, who’s already made waves in her rookie season.
Whether Clark will be available for that game remains to be seen. With the back-to-back schedule and her injury still fresh, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Fever hold her out as a precaution.
For now, the team has to rally fast. They’ve proven they can compete—especially on defense—but late-game composure and rebounding have to improve if they want to stack wins and get back above .500.
💬 Final Thoughts: Close, But Not Enough
The Fever had every reason to win this one. They were leading after three, forcing turnovers, and playing tenacious defense—even without their star player. But when it mattered most, the Sparks simply wanted it more.
Indiana fans have to hope this isn’t a trend. Between Clark’s injury, the offensive cold spells, and that painful final minute, it’s a lot to digest. But the talent is there. The effort is there. Now it’s about closing the deal.
Let’s see if they can bounce back in Dallas.
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