Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell leads the Fever past the top-seeded Lynx 83-72 in regular-season finale. Victory delivers momentum heading into WNBA Playoffs.
Lynx vs Fever: Final Whistle in Brief
In their final regular-season clash, the Indiana Fever stunned the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, winning 83–72. Kelsey Mitchell led with 18 points, while Odyssey Sims contributed 15 and Aliyah Boston hauled in eight rebounds, cementing a competitive end to the season.
Why It Mattered
This matchup was more than a finale—it shaped playoff seeding and validated Indiana’s postseason push. Despite missing superstar Caitlin Clark, the Fever showcased cohesion, depth, and defensive toughness. Minnesota’s decision to rest Napheesa Collier foreshadowed playoff rest management, but Indiana embraced the moment and closed with momentum.
Game Narrative: How the Fever Took Control
- First Quarter: Indiana roared ahead with a 10–0 run, led by Aerial Powers and Aliyah Boston. The Fever ended Q1 at 28–14, building early energy.
- Half-Time: Despite a Minnesota rally, Indiana maintained a double-digit lead at 49–36. Kelsey Mitchell and Odyssey Sims sparked offense and defensive energy.
- Second Half: The Lynx struck back with a 9–0 run, narrowing the gap to 49–45, but Indiana countered with a strong response. By the end of Q3, the margin was 70–53.
- Closing Out: Indiana held firm in Q4 and sealed the win, sending the crowd into playoff mode.
Standout Performers
- Kelsey Mitchell: Her 18 points (with four triples) not only led the team but also made her the Fever’s all-time single-season points-per-game record holder (20.2).
- Odyssey Sims: Scored 15 points and surpassed 3,500 career points.
- Aliyah Boston: 12 points, 8 rebounds—surpassing her own score for most rebounds in a single Fever season.
- Jessica Shepard (Lynx): Stepped up in Collier’s absence with 16 points; Minnesota struggled from deep (2-for-20 3-pt FG).
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Tactical Look: What Shifted the Game
Indiana’s Approach:
- High tempo and aggressive early offense overwhelmed the Lynx.
- Bench contribution and crisp ball movement disrupted defensive rhythm.
- Late substitutions and fresh legs sustained intensity.
Minnesota’s Challenges:
- Resting Collier and other rotation changes dulled cohesion.
- Offensive droughts from beyond the arc proved costly.
- The deeper Lynx bench missed key rhythm in crunch moments.
three straight wins to close the regular season 👏 pic.twitter.com/XTdwhsE8s2
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 10, 2025
What Comes Next
- Indiana Fever: Riding a three-game win streak, they enter the playoffs confident. With roster versatility, they look to make noise from the No. 6 seed.
- Minnesota Lynx: Locked in as top seed, they now prepare for deep playoff runs. Monitoring Collier’s recovery and 3-point consistency will be crucial.
National Relevance & Broader Headlines
- Fever’s facility boom: The franchise broke ground on a $78M practice and performance center—a visible investment in women’s sports infrastructure.
- WNBA attendance records: The Golden State Valkyries shattered attendance records, placing Fever among top-drawing franchises.
- Aces’ dominance: Las Vegas Aces confirmed their championship trajectory with a 13-game win streak, raising questions about Lynx’s title hopes.
Viewing & Broadcast Info
- This game aired on ESPN, with streaming available via the ESPN app/League Pass. Viewers could catch live updates through CBSSports.com and Yahoo Sports platforms.