Fever Triumph Over Wings 94-86 Despite Absence of Caitlin Clark

DALLAS -- Kelsey Mitchell lit up the scoreboard with 32 points, leading the Indiana Fever to a 94-86 victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday night, despite the absence of star player Caitlin Clark due to a left groin injury.

The Fever surged ahead early, establishing a commanding 22-point lead in the first quarter. This matchup was anticipated as the first encounter between the last two No. 1 picks in the WNBA draft, but Clark's injury sidelined her for a second consecutive game.

Meanwhile, the Wings, who recently made their debut at the American Airlines Center, are preparing for a future move to downtown Dallas after spending nearly a decade playing at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick this year, ignited a comeback for the Wings with a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the first half, finishing with 27 points despite a slow start. The Wings managed to take a brief lead in the fourth quarter after trailing by 23 points earlier in the game, but their initial shooting struggles—hitting only 26% in the first quarter—proved costly. Arike Ogunbowale contributed 15 points for Dallas.

For the Fever, Aliyah Boston added 21 points while Natasha Howard recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, along with three steals. The Fever showcased impressive shooting, making all 11 attempts from inside the arc during the first quarter and finishing with an overall shooting percentage of 59%.

Despite Clark's absence, the crowd at the nearly full arena remained enthusiastic. Among the attendees were notable figures such as nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving of the Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons. Cooper Flagg, who was recently drafted first overall by the Mavericks, also received a warm welcome from fans when shown on the video board.

Cade Cunningham, another top draft pick from four years ago, was spotted sitting near Parsons, adding to the star-studded atmosphere. Fans rallied behind Clark and the Fever, celebrating their team's strong start even without their rookie sensation.

The Wings briefly took their only lead at 80-79 following JJ Quinerly's three-point play midway through the fourth quarter. However, Aari McDonald initiated a decisive 9-0 run for the Fever, scoring to break an 82-82 tie and securing the win.