Fever start fast without Caitlin Clark, hang on for 94-86 win over Wings and Paige Bueckers
DALLAS (AP) -- Kelsey Mitchell scored 32 points, and the Indiana Fever held on without the injured Caitlin Clark, taking a 22-point lead in the first quarter before finishing off a 94-86 victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday night.
Clark's left groin injury spoiled what was supposed to be the first meeting of the past two No. 1 picks in the WNBA draft. The game was the first at the home of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks for the Wings, who took Paige Bueckers first overall this year.
The Wings, who are planning a move to downtown Dallas in the next couple of years, have played about 20 miles away on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington since moving to the area nine years ago.
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 27: Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (right) drives towards the basket against Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (left) during the second quarter of a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings on Friday, June 27, 2025 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.
Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bueckers sparked a rally by beating the first-half buzzer with a long 3-pointer after a steal and finished with 27 points despite a cold start from the field.
The Wings took a lead in the fourth quarter after trailing by 23 in the first half, but couldn't overcome 26% shooting in the first 10 minutes. Arike Ogunbowale scored 15 for Dallas.
Aliyah Boston scored 21 points and Natasha Howard had 15 points and 13 rebounds and three steals for the Fever, who made all 11 of their shots from inside the 3-point arc in the first quarter and shot 59% for the game.
The absence of Clark, who missed a second consecutive game after sitting out five earlier this season with a quadriceps injury, didn't keep the crowd or the pro sports stars away.
The 20,000-seat American Airlines Center was nearly full, and among the fans were nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving of the Mavericks, star pass rusher Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Cooper Flagg.
The 18-year-old Flagg was drafted No. 1 overall out of Duke by the Mavericks on Wednesday, a little more than two months after the Wings selected Bueckers. Flagg, who got a loud ovation when he was shown on the video board in the third quarter, was introduced to the Dallas media earlier Friday.
Cade Cunningham, a Dallas-area resident and the No. 1 overall choice by the Detroit Pistons four years ago, sat near Parsons.
Even with all the star power, there were plenty of Clark — and Fever — backers in the crowd, delighted by the quick start with the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year on the bench in street clothes.
The Wings took their only lead at 80-79 on JJ Quinerly's three-point play midway through the fourth quarter. Aari McDonald started a clinching 9-0 run for the Fever with a bucket that broke an 82-82 tie.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Mercury should explore DeWanna Bonner homecoming after Fever breakup
The post Why Mercury should explore DeWanna Bonner homecoming after Fever breakup appeared first on ClutchPoints. Is a homecoming on the rise for current disgruntled Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner? It's certainly a possibility, and according to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, the Atlanta Dream and the Phoenix Mercury are her preferred teams. Advertisement Why would this be, though? After Bonner signed with the Fever in the offseason, she was set to be a pivotal part of the team's championship aspirations. She has the credentials, experience, and mental toughness. Fast forward to late June, and the All-Star forward wants no part of Indiana. On Tuesday, it was official that Bonner doesn't plan to return to the Fever. Circling back to the Mercury, though, is it a possibility for a homecoming? If that's the case, there are a multitude of factors involved in a return. Bonner can return to where it all started with the Mercury © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images In the 2009 WNBA Draft, Phoenix selected the former Auburn basketball standout with the fifth overall pick. Her rookie season was one to remember, and one that laid the foundation for her career. Advertisement During that rookie season, the Mercury captured their second WNBA championship in franchise history. While Diana Taurasi spearheaded the success, Bonner, off the bench, was a major beneficiary. So much so that she won three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards (2009-11), her ability as a stretch-big wasn't seen at the WNBA level, and it was one that caught many by surprise. As her career progressed, she became a full-time starter and made an even more incredible impact. In the 2015 season, she was awarded her first All-WNBA selection. However, four years later, she ended up with the Connecticut Sun, alongside her current fiancée, Alyssa Thomas. That could be a lingering storyline for some to eat up like a Thanksgiving feast. However, as Thomas said in her introductory press conference, she and Bonner are both their own players. They can make their own decisions, regardless of any speculation that they want to be together during the regular season. The Mercury might not want DeWanna Bonner This saying has been repeated multiple times, and it holds true: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Advertisement That sentiment is the current state of the Mercury. Their 11-4 record, and the trio of Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, and Thomas, have been exceptional. Despite the trio's achievements, they haven't played many games together. Rather, it's the culture, defense, and the rookies – who aren't really rookies – stepping up to the plate. Players like Monique Akoa Makani, Kathryn Westbeld, Lexi Held, and Kitija Laksa have all played overseas and have excelled. That excellence has translated to the WNBA rather seamlessly. Westbeld and Makani are two of the starters. Adding Bonner to the mix could push Westbeld to the bench, as both play center. Advertisement Another option could be sending the Cameroonian guard to the bench, and having Copper run the point, while including Westbeld and Bonner in the same starting unit. This might be a risk the front office is not willing to make. Even though she's had a storied career, harming what is brewing could turn the potion of success into one of disaster. Either way, time isn't on Phoenix's side. As Costabile's article said, Bonner is also interested in the Dream. The writing was on the wall for Bonner to leave the Fever. Now, it's about finding the right fit, and that might be back in the Valley of the Sun. Related: Why Kahleah Copper is comparing Mercury to Sky championship team Related: Kahleah Copper gives Mercury teammates their flowers after breaking 3-point record
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Megan McConnell, TJ McConnell's sister, goes down 2 days after joining Mercury
The post Megan McConnell, TJ McConnell's sister, goes down 2 days after joining Mercury appeared first on ClutchPoints. Just days after making her WNBA rookie debut, Phoenix Mercury guard Megan McConnell received devastating news. The younger sister of NBA guard TJ McConnell suffered a right knee injury in her first game that will keep her sidelined for at least three to four weeks. Advertisement The Mercury signed McConnell to make up for the hits the team's roster took due to injury. Major offseason signee Alyssa Thomas joined fellow stars Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack on the injury report due to a calf issue, creating a need for Phoenix to utilize the hardship contract option. The organization turned to McConnell, who went undrafted in 2025. McConnell appeared in two preseason games for the Mercury at around ten minutes per game. She averaged 3.0 points while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from the 3-point line. In the 88-65 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, McConnell put up three points, three assists, and one rebound in 13 minutes. Before joining the Mercury, the 23-year-old made a name for herself in five standout years at Duquesne, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 boards, and 4.6 assists per contest. Related: Why Lexi Held feels 'lucky' with Mercury Related: Pacers' TJ McConnell wears sister's WNBA jersey before NBA Finals
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mercury waives TJ McConnell's sister Megan after injury
The post Mercury waives TJ McConnell's sister Megan after injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Mercury have waived Megan McConnell, who was signed to a contract in early June. On Thursday, the news became official after McConnell sustained a tibial plateau fracture. McConnell got injured during an 88-65 Mercury loss to the Minnesota Lynx on June 3. Advertisement McConnell had to leave the game early after only playing for 13 minutes. In the process, she scored three points, dished out three assists, and had a rebound to her name. The younger sister of Indiana Pacer TJ McConnell grew up in a basketball family. They have two aunts, Suzie McConnell-Serio and Kathy McConnell-Miller, who became players and coaches. Their uncle, Tom McConnell, was also a college basketball coach at Indiana University Pennsylvania. Later on, she had a standout college career. She played at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While there, McConnell set records in assists (660), steals (370), games played (144), games started (136), and triple-doubles (4). In addition, she was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team selection and won the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Advertisement McConnell's prospects for the future are unknown. Even though she was not drafted, the Mercury took a chance on McConnell during a treacherous period. The string of injuries affecting the Mercury Despite an 11-4 record, the Mercury have been hobbled by injuries this year. So in truth, McConnell was not an isolation incident. Key players including Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, and Natasha Mack had to power through injuries. In May, Copper had to undergo left knee arthroscopy and missed 4-6 weeks. That same month, Thomas sustained a calf injury. In mid June, Mack was hobbled with a back injury. On Thursday, guard Lexi Held was diagnosed with a pneumothorax lung injury. Advertisement The entire context of injuries has forced the Mercury to change rotations, rely on their bench, and to sign undrafted rookies such as McConnell. Yet, the Mercury remain in 2nd place behind the Lynx in the Western Conference. Related: Why Mercury should explore DeWanna Bonner homecoming after Fever breakup
