The spotlight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse centered on Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers entering Indiana’s season opener against Dallas. By the final buzzer, though, Kelsey Mitchell had delivered the night’s biggest offensive performance.
Mitchell poured in a game-high 30 points, but the Indiana Fever still fell short in a thrilling 107-104 loss to the Dallas Wings on Saturday afternoon, Hawkeyes Wire. Clark added 20 points and seven assists in her return to regular-season action, while Bueckers matched Clark with 20 points on an ultra-efficient shooting display to help Dallas escape Indianapolis with the win.
Indiana nearly forced overtime in the final seconds. Sophie Cunningham inbounded the ball to Mitchell with 1.3 seconds remaining, but her deep 3-point attempt rattled off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
The Fever shot 40-for-77 from the field and knocked down 17-of-21 free throws, but Dallas dictated the pace for much of the afternoon with blistering offensive efficiency. The Wings finished 39-for-66 from the floor and repeatedly capitalized in transition.
Clark’s return offered plenty of encouraging moments despite the loss. The former Iowa superstar finished 7-for-18 from the field while adding five rebounds across 31 minutes. Aliyah Boston also delivered a strong outing with 23 points, giving Indiana three players with at least 20 points.
Dallas countered with balanced production of its own. Arike Ogunbowale scored 22 points, Odyssey Sims added 20, and Bueckers controlled key moments late in the fourth quarter.
Kelsey Mitchell Kept Indiana Alive All Night
Mitchell set the tone early for Indiana’s offense. She scored 10 points in the opening quarter and reached 15 by halftime while Dallas built momentum behind its perimeter shooting attack.
The Wings exploded from deep during the first half, connecting on 10-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc while building a nine-point lead heading into the break. First-year head coach Jose Fernandez unveiled an up-tempo offense that consistently put pressure on Indiana’s defense.
Mitchell refused to let the game slip away.
Late in the fourth quarter, she buried a clutch 3-pointer before converting an old-fashioned three-point play that cut Dallas’ lead to two. Each time Indiana appeared ready to seize momentum, however, Dallas answered.
Bueckers calmly responded after Mitchell’s scoring burst with a shot fake and jumper that steadied the Wings during the game’s tense closing stretch.
Boston also helped fuel Indiana’s comeback attempt. After splitting a pair of free throws, pressure from Timpson forced a Bueckers turnover that led directly to a Boston basket, trimming Dallas’ advantage to 101-100.
That proved to be as close as Indiana would get.
Layups from Alanna Smith and Sims gave Dallas breathing room before missed free throws opened the door one final time for the Fever.
Clark attempted a deep 31-footer after Bueckers flew past her on defense, but the shot missed. Moments later, Mitchell received Indiana’s final look from nearly the same distance, only to see it bounce away at the horn.
Paige Bueckers Delivered in the Biggest Moments
While Mitchell carried Indiana offensively, Bueckers showcased why Dallas believes she can immediately elevate the franchise.
The No. 1 overall pick scored 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting while recording four assists and committing only one turnover. Her efficiency stood out in a game packed with offensive firepower.
Clark also caught fire during the third quarter. She either scored or assisted on 12 of Indiana’s first 16 points in the frame, drilling a pair of 3-pointers while building chemistry with Boston in the pick-and-roll game.
The Fever briefly held their breath later in the quarter when Clark headed to the tunnel to meet with trainers. She later told reporters she simply needed her back adjusted before returning to finish the game.
Azzi Fudd, another highly anticipated rookie debuting for Dallas, finished with three points in 18 minutes.
Saturday’s showdown delivered the offensive fireworks many expected from two of the WNBA’s brightest young stars. It also highlighted how dangerous both teams could become moving forward.
Indiana will now turn its attention to a May 13 road matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena, while Dallas leaves Indianapolis with momentum after surviving one of the season’s most anticipated openers.
Kelsey Mitchell Erupts for 30 as Caitlin Clark, Fever Lose to Paige Bueckers