The Indiana Fever delivered a stunning first-quarter performance against the Dallas Wings on Friday night, racing to a 33-13 lead in a game they entered without superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. Despite missing their No. 1 pick for the second straight game, the Fever put on an offensive clinic early, while the Wings struggled to find any rhythm.
🔥 First Quarter Fireworks: Fever’s Historic Start
Indiana came out blazing, holding Dallas to a season-low 13 points in the opening quarter while shooting an incredible 13-for-16 (81.3%) from the field. Key takeaways:
- 14-0 run after Dallas scored the first basket
- 10-0 edge in fast-break points
- 18-10 advantage in paint scoring
- Kelsey Mitchell (10 pts, 3 ast) and Aliyah Boston (7 pts) led the charge
- Wings’ starting lineup managed just 3 total points (all from Paige Bueckers)
📉 Wings’ Early Struggles
Dallas, fresh off a 68-55 win over Atlanta, looked completely out of sync:
- Arike Ogunbowale (coming off a big game) was held scoreless in Q1
- Bench provided minimal relief (6 pts from Myisha Hines-Allen)
- Defensive breakdowns allowed Indiana easy transition buckets
🏀 Caitlin Clark’s Absence
The Fever’s No. 1 pick remains sidelined with a left groin injury, her second straight missed game after recently returning from a quad issue. In her absence:
- Kelsey Mitchell stepped up as the primary scorer (20 pts vs. Sparks)
- Aari McDonald (14 pts off bench in last game) provided a spark
- Team ball movement excelled (7 assists on 13 FG in Q1)
📺 How to Watch
- Time: 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT
- Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
- TV: ION
- Streaming: WNBA League Pass | Fubo (free trial)
🔮 What’s Next?
- Can the Fever sustain their hot start? Dallas is too talented to stay cold for long.
- Will Arike Ogunbowale wake up? The Wings’ star must respond after a scoreless Q1.
- Indiana’s defense: If they keep forcing turnovers (X in Q1), they’ll control the game.
🗣️ Expert Take
“Indiana is proving they can win without Clark, but Dallas won’t go quietly. The Wings’ bench needs to step up now.” — WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo
Final Thought: If the Fever maintain this pace, they could cruise to a statement road win. But with three quarters left, Dallas has time to rally.
