Fever offense falls flat in loss vs Valkyries, Likes and Dislikes

INDIANAPOLIS – The Fever were finally back home on Wednesday night, their first game in Gainbridge Fieldhouse since June 27.

They were hosting the Golden State Valkyries, the league's top defense in terms of defensive rating. The Fever, of course, held the league's top offense in terms of offensive rating, setting up for a fun tactical match.

So far, these teams have split their season series with one win each. Likes and Dislikes from Fever vs Valkyries.

Circle City Spin

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, up close

Circle City SpinTony East

DISLIKE: The Fever's early offense

Advantage early? The Valkyries top-ranked defense.

The Fever scored two points across almost five minutes to start the game. They were 1/9 with two turnovers at the time, and many of their shots seemed forced.

Caitlin Clark started 0/3. Lexie Hull, Monique Billings, and Aliyah Boston all missed their first shot. Ty Harris came in and was off on her first look.

It was an ugly start for the Fever. Mitchell picked things up as the quarter progressed, but the Fever were playing from behind early because of their offensive shortcomings in the opening minutes.

LIKE: The bench and offensive shifts

Leave it to the second unit, and Mitchell, to turn things around in this one. After substitutions came in, the Fever's offense found some footing.

Mitchell got hot, reaching nine points by the end of the first quarter. That was half of Indiana's total. And she got a lift from her second unit teammates, all of whom chipped in at key times.

Harris hit a three. Sophie Cunningham drilled a jumper from the corner. Billings rolled to the rim, beat a few defenders, and hit Timpson for an easy layup.

Suddenly, it was a one-possession game. Despite trailing by double figures in the first quarter, the Fever were down just two points at 20-18 after the first period.

LIKE: Caitlin Clark, defending and passing

Clark broke out some wonderful passes to start the second quarter.

The first came in transition, firing a dart to a cutting Timpson in traffic. The ball made it through multiple defenders and led to a layup. A few trips later, Clark kept her head up in transition and drew in the Valkyries defense with her gravity before connecting with an open Boston. That, too, led to a layup.

Clark's vision made both plays possible. In between, her defense forced a travel, and on another play she held up well against Veronica Burton before blocking her shot. It was a great stretch from Clark on both ends. And then...

DISLIKE: Clark, hurt and frustrated

With 4:43 left in the second quarter, Clark drove it in for a layup on the right side. Kiah Stokes tried to contest the shot, and there was a lot of contact. Clark made the layup and then hit the hardwood. No foul was called.

Immediately, Clark was upset at the lack of a foul call. She gingerly jogged back to defense and had to hop a few teams to keep herself comfortable. Something was clearly bugging her.

And at the game's next stoppage, Clark swung her fist in anger that there was no whistle on that play. She walked right up to an official and yelled in their face. No technical was given, and Clark then went to speak with a different official before exiting the game.

She went back into the tunnels of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, appearing as if she was heading for the locker room. Moments later, Clark was back on the bench. During the next timeout, head coach Stephanie White spoke with an official for almost the entire stoppage.

Clark was already playing on a minutes restriction. It was a frustrating play for her and the team, and one that required some answers.

DISLIKE: Offense to close the half

After Clark's layup, the Fever scored just three points the rest of the half. They shot 1/8 in the final 4:42 of the second quarter, finishing the half how they started it.

Golden State's defense was causing problems that they needed to solve. It was 40-30 Valkyries at halftime.

LIKE: Fever's early third quarter defense

Cecilia Zandalasini scored for Golden State with 9:16 on the clock in the third quarter. The Valkyries wouldn't score again for over four minutes, sitting on 42 points for ages.

The Fever were principled on defense, strong on the boards, and took enough care of the ball. That made a burst almost impossible for the Valkyries, and the Fever went on a mini run to trim their deficit. They were down just five after a few minutes of third-quarter play.

Even after the Valkyires called a timeout to talk things over, their offense was still stuck in the mud. The Fever had a chance to tie the game with just under four minutes left in the period thanks to their defense tightening up.

LIKE: Flair

An offensive rebound bounced to Clark at the left elbow, and her passing magic kicked in. She found Boston in the corner with some behind-the-back flair.

DISLIKE: Struggling with Kaitlyn Chen

The Fever battled back to take the lead late in the third quarter after falling behind by 12 earlier in the frame. But they were still down seven when the period ended because Kaitlyn Chen took over the game.

Chen scored 12 points in the quarter, including 10 in the final 1:57 of the third. During those final minutes, Chen shot 3/3 from the floor and 4/5 from the foul line. The Fever couldn't contain her at all.

As a result, Golden State closed the quarter on a 12-4 run. It was 58-51 Valkyries after three frames.

DISLIKE: Poor defense to open the fourth quarter

Chen unlocked the Valkyries. Their confidence, and ball movement, improved to start the final quarter.

They scored 19 points in the first five minutes of the period, expanding their lead to as much as 14. Even with decent Fever offense during the same stretch, Golden State's edge continued to grow.

The Fever had no chance if they didn't get stops down the stretch. And they were running out of time.

DISLIKE: Can't find the timely bucket

The Fever spent much of the final minutes down somewhere between 10 and 12, a big, yet not insurmountable, deficit.

In that stretch, the Fever had five chances to cut the Valkyries lead to single digits. On all five trips, they either missed or had a turnover. One timely basket would have been huge for the Fever, but they couldn't knock one down.

Finally, with 99 seconds to go, Mitchell canned a three to cut Golden State's advantage to seven. Yet on Indiana's next trip, a turnover.

The Fever's subpar offensive night did them in, and it prevented them from making a needed push late. They finished with (tied) their lowest point total of the season.

Final score: Valkyries 88, Fever 75. The Fever fell to 14-10 with the loss.

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