In front of a roaring home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the Indiana Fever delivered one of their most thrilling performances of the season on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, holding off a relentless Phoenix Mercury team in a 107–101 shootout that left fans breathless and players electrified.

ALSO READ : USA Basketball reveals 2025 Women’s U19 National Team: Meet the young stars eyeing gold in Czechia

It was a true team effort for Indiana, but the night belonged to rising stars Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, and Aliyah Boston—all of whom came up clutch on both ends of the floor.

“We Just Wanted It More,” Says Aari McDonald

McDonald, whose high-octane play has been a spark for the Fever all season, was seen screaming in excitement as she sprinted down the court after a critical defensive stop late in the fourth quarter. Her intensity was infectious—and her teammates followed suit.

We just refused to lose,” McDonald said after the game. “We knew the Mercury would bring it, but we brought more.

McDonald’s defensive hustle and transition speed gave Indiana key momentum during crunch time.

Sophie Cunningham: The Three-Point Assassin

Another standout of the night was Sophie Cunningham, who drained multiple three-pointers with ice-cold precision, including a fourth-quarter dagger that sent the Fieldhouse into a frenzy. After one particularly deep shot, Cunningham turned to Aliyah Boston, who met her with an emphatic celebration near center court—a moment that lit up social media.

We knew we had to execute,” Cunningham said post-game. “Coach always tells us, shoot with confidence—and that’s exactly what I did.

Aliyah Boston vs. Alyssa Thomas: Battle of the Forwards

Aliyah Boston was nothing short of dominant on the glass, recovering critical rebounds and holding her own against Alyssa Thomas, one of Phoenix’s most physical and experienced forwards.

Their battle under the rim was a highlight of the night, as both players fought for every board with playoff-like intensity. Boston’s ability to remain composed and out-muscle Thomas during a pivotal stretch in the third quarter proved to be a major difference-maker.

She’s a vet, she’s strong,” Boston said of Thomas. “But I’m here to compete. I love these kinds of matchups.

Satou Sabally and the Mercury’s Frustration

It was a tough night emotionally for Satou Sabally, who at one point held her head in disbelief as the Mercury struggled to close the gap. Despite a strong individual performance, Sabally and the Mercury couldn’t withstand Indiana’s second-half surge.

Phoenix now faces questions about their late-game defense as they head back home, while Indiana continues to gain momentum as a potential dark horse in the playoff race.

Clark on the Bench, White in Command

While Caitlin Clark remained on the bench, fans were treated to an animated sideline presence from both her and head coach Stephanie White, who rallied the team through strategic substitutions and timeouts.

White’s leadership has been a driving force behind Indiana’s recent turnaround, and the trust she places in her younger players—especially during high-pressure moments—continues to pay dividends.

What’s Next for Indiana

With the win, the Fever move one step closer to a playoff spot and prove once again that their young core is ready to challenge any WNBA team—even legends like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, who were absent in this matchup but remain key Mercury figures.

Indiana will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming road trip, where consistency and composure will be tested again.

As the Gainbridge crowd emptied into the Indianapolis night, one thing was clear—the Fever are for real, and they just sent a warning shot to the rest of the WNBA.