The Los Angeles Sparks orchestrated a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Indiana Fever 85-75 on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Fever, playing without their marquee rookie Caitlin Clark, saw a promising 10-point lead early in the final frame evaporate as the Sparks dominated the quarter 35-17 to secure a hard-fought victory.
The game, held on June 26, 2025, was a contest of shifting momentum and contrasting performances. The Sparks initially burst out of the gate with a 9-0 run in the first three minutes, establishing an early rhythm. However, the Fever quickly found their footing, and by the end of the first quarter, the Sparks held only a narrow 20-19 lead. The second quarter proved challenging for both offenses, marked by turnovers and missed opportunities. Los Angeles endured a significant scoring drought of six-and-a-half minutes, contributing to their 15 first-half turnovers. Despite Indiana’s own struggles, shooting just 29.7% from the field by halftime, they managed to capitalize on the Sparks’ miscues and took a 34-30 lead into the break. The Fever continued to build on their advantage in the third quarter, extending their lead to 58-50. At this point, Indiana had shown a better touch from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of their 22 three-point attempts compared to the Sparks’ 4-for-17, and maintained a significant edge in ball control, committing only 10 turnovers to Los Angeles’s 19, as detailed by USA Today.
However, the narrative dramatically shifted in the fourth quarter. A basket by Natasha Howard pushed the Fever’s lead to 10 points with 9:26 remaining, seemingly putting them in control. Yet, the Sparks unleashed an offensive surge, rapidly chipping away at the deficit. Kelsey Plum’s clutch three-pointer with just 4:13 left on the clock gave Los Angeles a 67-66 lead, their first since the opening period. The Sparks maintained their aggressive play, with Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens delivering crucial put-back baskets in the final minute to solidify their comeback. Azura Stevens was a standout performer for the Sparks, leading all scorers with 23 points, while Kelsey Plum provided a significant boost with 21 points and six assists, according to reports from ESPN and USA Today.
The Indiana Fever’s struggles were undeniably exacerbated by the absence of their highly anticipated rookie, Caitlin Clark. Clark was sidelined due to a groin injury, marking her sixth missed game of the season. She had previously missed five games earlier in the season due to a quad injury, underscoring a challenging start to her professional career. Her status remains day-to-day, as confirmed by coach Stephanie White. Clark’s injury comes at a particularly difficult time, as she has been in the midst of a prolonged shooting slump, making just one of her last 23 three-point attempts over the past three games. Without Clark, the Fever’s record now stands at a concerning 2-4 this season, illustrating the profound impact of her presence on the court and the team’s offensive flow, as reported by USA Today.
Further complicating the Fever’s season, the team recently waived veteran free agent acquisition DeWanna Bonner. Bonner had requested her release after missing five games for personal reasons, a decision that followed her demotion from the starting lineup. This departure adds another layer of challenge to the Fever’s roster depth and overall team cohesion as they navigate a demanding WNBA schedule.
The game was broadcast locally on FanDuel Sport Network-Indiana and streamed on Amazon Prime, allowing fans to witness the dramatic turnaround. While the Fever demonstrated periods of strong play, particularly in building their lead, the Sparks’ resilience, coupled with Indiana’s key absences and late-game execution issues, ultimately proved to be the deciding factors in Los Angeles’s impressive road victory.
