The Indiana Fever, currently riding a two-game winning streak, are set to host the formidable Phoenix Mercury in a compelling WNBA matchup on Wednesday, July 30. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, will see a surging Fever team test its mettle against a fully healthy Mercury squad, though Indiana will once again be without its star guard, Caitlin Clark.
Clark has been officially ruled out for what will be her fifth consecutive missed game due to a right groin injury she sustained on July 15. According to reports from the Fever, the second-year player sought a second opinion which confirmed no additional damage. The team is prioritizing her long-term health and has not provided a timetable for her return. In her 13 games this season, Clark has averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.
In Clarkâs absence, the Fever (14-12) have found a rhythm, securing back-to-back victories. Their most recent triumph was a 93-78 win over the Chicago Sky, where guard Kelsey Mitchell delivered a spectacular performance. Mitchell scored a season-high 35 points, including seven three-pointers, to lead her team. She received strong support from Aliyah Boston, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and rookie Makayla Timpson, who added a career-high 14 points, as noted by Digital Trends Today.
On the other side, the Phoenix Mercury (16-9) recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a decisive 88-72 victory against the Washington Mystics. The win was powered by a stellar all-around game from Alyssa Thomas, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. A significant advantage for Phoenix is that their star trio of Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper are all healthy and playing together, a luxury they haven’t had for much of the season. Thomas leads the league with 9.4 assists per game, while Sabally is a dominant force, averaging 18.0 points per contest.
The matchup also marks the return of DeWanna Bonner to Indianapolis. Bonner was waived by the Fever in June and will face her former team for the first time since her departure.
Heading into the contest, betting markets favor the visiting team. According to BetMGM, the Mercury are listed as 3.5-point favorites, with the over/under for total points set at 167.5. Interestingly, ESPN’s matchup predictor offers a different perspective, giving the Fever a 64.4% chance of winning at home. Experts from CBS Sports have noted that the Fever are 3-0 against the spread as home underdogs this season, suggesting the game could be closer than the line indicates.
With the Fever demonstrating resilience without their marquee player and the Mercury aiming to climb the standings with a healthy roster, Wednesday’s game promises to be a hard-fought battle. The key will be whether Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston can continue their elevated play to overcome the star power of Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3 and Merc+.
