Indiana Fever STUN Mystics Without Caitlin Clark – Mitchell, Hull & McDonald Take Over in Shocking Revenge Win
When the Indiana Fever stepped onto the court without Caitlin Clark, everyone counted them out. After all, Clark wasn’t just a star—she was the team’s heart, soul, and spark. But on June 3rd, against all odds, the Fever flipped the script and delivered a stunning 85–76 revenge victory over the Washington Mystics. And it wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it was about respect, redemption, and rising up.
Just days earlier, the Mystics had humiliated the Fever. They shoved Sophie Cunningham around like she didn’t belong and strutted through the game like it was theirs by default. When Clark went down with a quad injury, critics and fans alike called Indiana finished. A three-game losing streak seemed to prove the point. But that was the turning point. The Fever weren’t breaking—they were regrouping.
The Mystics came into the rematch expecting another walkover. What they got instead was a fired-up Indiana team ready to make them regret every ounce of disrespect.
With Clark sidelined, Kelsey Mitchell stepped up and showed exactly why she’s the franchise’s foundation. She didn’t just score—she led. She read the floor like a seasoned quarterback, breaking down double teams and draining clutch shots. Mitchell finished with 24 points, three assists, and two rebounds, shooting 50% from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
What set Mitchell apart, though, wasn’t just the numbers. It was her presence. She calmed the offense, made smart reads, and turned pressure into precision. In the fourth quarter, when the Mystics tried to mount a comeback, Mitchell shut it down with a critical three-point play that sealed the win. Her performance proved that Indiana can thrive without relying solely on Clark.
Lexie Hull started the game quietly—scoreless in the first half. But in the third quarter, she exploded. Hull racked up 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists. She was everywhere—diving for loose balls, cutting hard, finishing through contact, and hitting tough shots.
The Mystics couldn’t contain her. They had planned for Clark. They had tried to shut down Mitchell. But they weren’t ready for Hull to go full throttle in the second half. Her third-quarter takeover changed the game’s momentum and proved she could be a difference-maker when it matters most.
Just days before the game, Ary McDonald wasn’t even on the roster. Signed on an emergency hardship contract, she had to learn the Fever’s playbook mid-flight. By the next night, she was on the floor disrupting everything the Mystics tried to do.
In 27 minutes, McDonald scored seven points, dished out five assists, and most impressively, drew three offensive fouls in just eight minutes. She recorded three steals, ran the offense with poise, and became a defensive pest Washington couldn’t shake.
Her hustle, grit, and unshakable calm left her teammates and coaches raving. Mitchell called her “the ultimate pro,” and Coach Stephanie White said she brought “exactly what we needed.”
Indiana’s 21 assists on 30 made field goals tell the real story. This wasn’t a win fueled by heroics—it was a team victory built on trust, chemistry, and unselfish play. Everyone bought in. Everyone contributed. And for the first time, the Fever looked like more than a Caitlin Clark-centered system. They looked like a legitimate playoff threat.
Even Coach White emphasized it: “That’s how we want to play. That’s how we have to play in order for us to be successful.” The ball moved with purpose. The team flowed together. And the Mystics—who had looked so confident—found themselves overwhelmed.
What This Means Moving Forward
This win changed everything for the Fever’s 2025 campaign. Not only did it break a demoralizing losing streak, it revealed a roster full of fighters. Mitchell proved she can lead. Hull proved she can flip a game in one quarter. McDonald proved she belongs—and more importantly, that Indiana now has point guard depth to support Clark when she returns.
When Clark does come back, she won’t be the only threat. Opposing defenses won’t be able to zero in on her like before. With Mitchell, Hull, and McDonald showing they can take over, the Fever suddenly look deep, dangerous, and dynamic.
Final Thoughts: This Team Just Got Scary
Sometimes the best thing that can happen to a team is to be underestimated. The Mystics walked into the building expecting to bully the same broken squad they beat last week. Instead, they ran into a team with grit, heart, and something to prove.
Indiana Fever’s 85–76 win without Caitlin Clark wasn’t just an upset—it was a statement. This team is bigger than one player. They’re battle-tested. They’re dangerous. And they’re coming for everyone.
