Do we have a crowd-control problem at Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Or do some WNBA players – let me pick a name out of a hat…A’ja Wilson – have a hypersensitivity problem?
The big news, the ultimately important news, was that the Fever saved their season Tuesday night, knocking off the Las Vegas Aces, 99-89, to tie the first-round series at a game apiece. The two teams will seek to advance to the next round when they play at 9 p.m. Thursday in Vegas.
It wasn’t all Caitlin Clark, although a lot of it was as she finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds and, at the risk of being negative, five turnovers. It wasn’t all Kelsey Mitchell, although a lot of it was, who continued to hear “MVP! MVP!” chants from the crowd, scoring 26 points in her usual electric style. It wasn’t all Aliyah Boston, although a lot of it was, who had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Indiana’s Big Three outplayed Vegas’ Big Three.
On a night when the post-game talk centered on the baseline contretemps between Wilson and a Fever fan, the Fever got production from some of the unlikeliest places. There was Myisha Hines-Allen, whose physical play set the tone, especially in the second half. There was rising rookie Raven Johnson, who played 23 ½ solid minutes, scored six points and defended with force. There was Lexie Hull, who defended on the wing, scored four points with seven rebounds and played to a +9 in the plus-minus category.
This is the way the Fever can play – we’ve seen it often during the regular season – and this is the way the Fever must play if they’re going to have a puncher’s chance back in Vegas Thursday.
