Fever 87, Sparks 78: Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell Power Indiana to First Win of 2026

A Much-Needed Bounce-Back

The Indiana Fever got off the schneid in convincing fashion on Wednesday night, traveling to Los Angeles and handing the Sparks an 87-78 defeat at Crypto.com Arena in a performance that served notice to the rest of the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark delivered 24 points and nine assists, while Kelsey Mitchell chipped in 23 points of her own — a one-two punch that the Sparks had no answer for from tip-off to buzzer.

Indiana Comes In Hungry After Painful Opener

It was a must-win mentality for Indiana heading into Wednesday. The Fever had dropped their home opener to the Dallas Wings 107–104 on May 9, despite Clark, Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston all scoring 20-plus points in that contest. Losing at home stung — winning on the road, in dominant fashion, felt like a proper response.

Sparks Had No Answers for Indiana's Pace

Los Angeles came into the night carrying their own early-season baggage. The Sparks were beaten by defending champion Las Vegas Aces 105-78 in their season opener, and Wednesday offered little relief. Despite a roster headlined by All-Stars Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, and Dearica Hamby, the Sparks struggled to contain Indiana's relentless tempo.

Indiana's up-tempo attack tested Los Angeles's early-season conditioning, and the Sparks ran out of answers in the fourth quarter. Mitchell was a nightmare at the rim all night — a sharp reminder that she is far more than a supporting act alongside Clark.

What's Next for the Fever?

The road doesn't get easier for Indiana. The Fever's next five games include matchups against the Washington Mystics, Seattle Storm, Portland Fire, and back-to-back meetings with the Golden State Valkyries. But after Wednesday's commanding performance, opponents should be on notice.

Final Takeaway

The 2026 WNBA season is young, but the Indiana Fever just showed the league what a healthy, hungry squad looks like. Clark is dealing. Mitchell is scoring. And Indiana is coming for everyone.

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