Indiana Fever Shatter Six Records in Dominant Win Over Angel Reese & Chicago Sky — All Without Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever delivered a performance for the ages, dominating the Chicago Sky and their rising star Angel Reese while playing without their own headline rookie, Caitlin Clark. Setting six new franchise and league records, the Fever’s emphatic victory sent a resounding message to the rest of the WNBA: Indiana is a force to be reckoned with—even when missing their most celebrated player.

Fever Rise Without Clark

Caitlin Clark has been the centerpiece of much of Indiana’s season—her theatrical three-pointers, dazzling ball-handling, and competitive drive have elevated every game she’s played. But on this historic night, the rookie phenom sat out, citing a minor injury. Many fans wondered: without Clark’s scoring and leadership, how would Indiana hold up against the energetic, physical style of Angel Reese and the fast-improving Chicago Sky?

The answer came swiftly and unapologetically.

Record-Breaking Avalanche

Indiana erupted out of the gates with a barrage of points, stifling defense, and astonishing teamwork. By the final whistle, the Fever hadn’t just bested Chicago—they’d rewritten the record books. Here’s a look at the six major records that tumbled:

1. Franchise Points in a Game Indiana put up an awe-inspiring 115 points, their highest single-game total ever, surpassing a longstanding record set nearly a decade ago.
2. Most Assists in a Game Unselfish basketball was the Fever’s hallmark as they racked up 32 assists—moving the ball with crispness and precision unlike anything this roster has shown in years.
3. Largest Margin of Victory The 36-point final margin was the largest in team history, highlighting both Indiana’s offensive power and their defensive prowess.
4. Three-Pointers Made in a Game The Fever knocked down 17 shots from beyond the arc, a new franchise best that left Sky defenders scrambling to contest every perimeter attempt.
5. Fewest Turnovers Under pressure, Indiana played remarkably clean basketball, committing just five turnovers—another franchise mark for efficiency.
6. Team Field-Goal Percentage Shooting a blistering 59 percent as a team, the Fever set a new high-water mark, their ball movement and shot selection near flawless throughout the contest.

The Emergence of New Leaders

With Caitlin Clark out, the question of “Who will step up?” was answered emphatically.

Kelsey Mitchell poured in 33 points, attacking the rim with gusto while drilling five three-pointers. Her energy and confidence galvanized the team.

Aliyah Boston was a force in the paint, posting a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds, controlling the boards against Angel Reese and limiting Chicago’s second-chance opportunities.

The bench, too, delivered in a big way. Kristy Wallace and Temi Fagbenle combined for 28 points and countless hustle plays, keeping intensity high every minute on the court.

Shutting Down Angel Reese & The Sky

Chicago’s Angel Reese has quickly built a reputation for dominating inside, snagging rebounds and igniting transition offense. Against Indiana, the tables turned. Whenever Reese positioned herself for a post move or offensive rebound, she found herself swarmed by Boston and the Fever’s rotating bigs.

Reese was held to 10 points and a modest seven rebounds, her most stymied outing of the season. Sky guards, forced into isolation and tough shots, struggled to mount any consistent offensive rhythm. Fever defenders communicated flawlessly, closing out hard on the perimeter and funneling drives into shot-blockers waiting in the paint.

A United Team Effort

Perhaps most impressive was the Fever’s chemistry. With Clark unavailable, each player elevated her game in a new way. The ball zipped around the perimeter, bigs set tough screens and finished at the rim, and the defensive hustle never waned. Indiana out-rebounded the Sky by 15, dove for loose balls, and played every possession like the game depended on it.

Coach Christie Sides praised her team: “This was a statement win. Every single player stepped up. We trusted each other, we played for each other, and we showed everyone that our identity is bigger than one player—from the starters to the bench, it was a team victory.”

What This Means for the WNBA

While Caitlin Clark’s star power brings national attention and sells out arenas, Indiana’s showing proved the league’s depth of talent is what truly builds championship contenders. The Fever’s success without their franchise rookie highlights both the quality of their offseason moves and the development of their existing core.

For the Sky, the loss was a sobering reality check, but not without lessons. Angel Reese remains a foundational piece, and with adjustments, Chicago is still poised for growth as the season unfolds. Their young stars simply ran into a perfect storm—an Indiana squad riding the momentum of history.

Fan and Media Reactions

Social media erupted with praise for Indiana’s bench players and “unsung heroes,” with many observers lauding the game as one of the best team displays in recent WNBA memory. The Fever trending on Twitter, independent of Clark, indicated the league continues to broaden its appeal and field storylines beyond individual superstars.

Longtime Indiana fans filled Gainbridge Fieldhouse with deafening cheers, recognizing the rare quality of the performance unfolding before them.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for Indiana

As word of their record-breaking night reverberates throughout the league, the Fever have set themselves up as true playoff contenders. Clark’s eventual return will only add to the roster’s lethal combination of youth, skill, and experience.

But the most enduring message from this win is that Indiana is no one-woman show. Their teamwork, resilience, and adaptability shine through, promising a thrilling journey for their fans and a warning to their WNBA rivals: Whether Caitlin Clark is on the floor or not, the Indiana Fever are ready for prime time.