In a thrilling WNBA showdown at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the Chicago Sky edged out the Indiana Fever 92-85 in a game that came down to the final possessions. The November 18 clash saw Kahleah Copper deliver a Player of the Match performance with 25 points, while Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell countered with 22 points of her own in a losing effort.
Game-Changing Moments: Sky vs Fever
- 3rd Quarter Surge: Chicago’s 12-4 run to close the quarter, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from Copper and Rebekah Gardner
- Clutch Defense: Candace Parker’s crucial block on NaLyssa Smith with 1:32 remaining preserved Chicago’s 4-point lead
- Turnover Troubles: Indiana’s 7 fourth-quarter turnovers led to 9 Chicago points – the difference in the game
- Copper’s Heroics: Scored 8 of her 25 points in final 5 minutes, including a dagger three-pointer at 0:48
The Sky’s offensive efficiency proved decisive, shooting 47% from the field compared to Indiana’s 45%. While the Fever shot a blistering 45% from three-point range, Chicago’s balanced attack featuring six players with 6+ points created consistent scoring opportunities.
By The Numbers: Indiana Fever vs Chicago Sky Key Stats
| Category | Indiana | Chicago | Difference | Season Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points in Paint | 34 | 42 | +8 CHI | IND: 5th | CHI: 3rd |
| Fast Break Pts | 9 | 14 | +5 CHI | IND: 8th | CHI: 2nd |
| Bench Points | 17 | 19 | +2 CHI | IND: 10th | CHI: 4th |
| Second Chance | 11 | 8 | +3 IND | IND: 6th | CHI: 9th |
| Assist/Turnover | 1.3 | 1.7 | +0.4 CHI | IND: 7th | CHI: 1st |
Rebounding was nearly even (38-36 Indiana), but Chicago’s 25-19 assist advantage reflected superior ball movement. The Sky’s defense forced 15 Fever turnovers, converting them into 18 points – a critical factor in the tight contest.
Tactical Breakdown: Sky vs Fever Strategies
Chicago’s small-ball lineup with Parker at center created mismatches, stretching Indiana’s defense with 42 points in the paint. Indiana countered effectively with dribble penetration, drawing 22 fouls to Chicago’s 18, but left points at the line (14-19 FT).
The Sky’s defensive adjustment to switch everything in the fourth quarter disrupted Indiana’s rhythm, holding them to 38% shooting in the final period. Fever coach Christie Sides acknowledged post-game: “Their length gave us problems when we needed baskets most.”
Indiana Fever Match Player Stats
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Turnovers | FG% | 3P% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelsey Mitchell | 35 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 50.0 | 60.0 | -4 |
| NaLyssa Smith | 33 | 18 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 53.3 | 66.7 | +2 |
| Queen Egbo | 22 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 42.9 | 0.0 | -8 |
| Emily Engstler | 25 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 37.5 | 0.0 | -5 |
| Aliyah Boston | 18 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 33.3 | 0.0 | -12 |
Fever Player Performance Analysis
- Mitchell’s Efficiency: Scored 22 on 50% shooting (3-5 3PT) despite tight defense from Gardner. Now averaging 20.3 ppg vs Chicago this season.
- Smith’s Double-Double: 18 pts/10 reb for her 4th double-double of 2024. Leads team with 8.7 rpg.
- Bench Struggles: Combined 9-24 FG (37.5%) from reserves. Fever rank 10th in bench scoring this season.
- Boston’s Off Night: Season-low 4 points in just 18 minutes due to foul trouble.
Chicago Sky Match Player Stats
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Turnovers | FG% | 3P% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahleah Copper | 36 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 52.9 | 50.0 | +11 |
| Courtney Vandersloot | 38 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 41.7 | 25.0 | +9 |
| Candace Parker | 30 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 42.9 | 0.0 | +6 |
| Rebekah Gardner | 22 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 57.1 | 66.7 | +5 |
| Emma Meesseman | 24 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 40.0 | 0.0 | +4 |
Sky Player Performance Analysis
- Copper’s Dominance: 25 pts on 9-17 FG, including 8 points in clutch time (last 5 mins). Now averaging 23.6 ppg vs Indiana in 2024.
- Vandersloot’s Playmaking: Game-high 7 assists with just 2 turnovers. Leads WNBA with 7.9 apg.
- Parker’s Two-Way Impact: +6 plus/minus with 3 blocks despite modest scoring. Ranks 3rd in blocks per game (1.8).
- Gardner’s Efficiency: 10 points in 22 minutes on 4-7 shooting. +5 in limited action.
Head-to-Head History: Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Winner | Score | Top Performer | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2024 | Chicago | 92-85 | Copper (25 pts) | CHI: 18 pts off TOs |
| Sep 2, 2024 | Indiana | 88-82 | Mitchell (28 pts) | IND: 12-25 3PT |
| Jul 15, 2024 | Chicago | 79-74 | Parker (22 pts, 11 reb) | CHI: 42-28 reb edge |
| May 28, 2024 | Indiana | 91-89 (OT) | Smith (24 pts, 14 reb) | IND: 56 pts in paint |
| Apr 10, 2024 | Chicago | 84-76 | Vandersloot (18 pts, 10 ast) | CHI: 25 ast on 31 FGM |
Season Series Outlook: Sky vs Fever 2024
With this victory, Chicago takes a 3-2 lead in the season series against Indiana. The teams meet twice more in 2024:
- December 5 @ Chicago (7:00 PM CT)
- December 18 @ Indiana (6:00 PM ET)
Both games could have playoff seeding implications, with Chicago currently 3rd in the East and Indiana 5th.
What’s Next For Both Teams
| Team | Next Game | Key Matchup | Injury Watch | Season Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | vs LA Sparks (Nov 22) | Mitchell vs Canada | Egbo (ankle) day-to-day | IND leads 1-0 |
| Chicago | vs Seattle (Nov 23) | Copper vs Loyd | Meesseman (calf) probable | SEA leads 2-0 |
The Fever look to bounce back against a struggling Sparks team, while Chicago faces a tougher test against the Storm’s backcourt. Both teams will need to manage minor injuries to key rotation players.
Expert Takeaways: Sky vs Fever Analysis
- Chicago’s Championship Pedigree: Showed composure down stretch with Parker/Vandersloot making winning plays. Improved to 5-3 in games decided by ≤5 points.
- Indiana’s Growth Area: Must improve late-game execution (2-8 FG in final 3 minutes). Now 2-6 in clutch games this season.
- Playoff Implications: Chicago strengthens hold on 3rd seed; Indiana falls 2 games back of final playoff spot.
- Player Matchup to Watch: Copper vs Mitchell developing into one of WNBA’s premier scoring duels (combined 47.1 ppg in 2024 meetings).
Match Summary: Indiana Fever vs Chicago Sky
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | November 18, 2024 |
| Final Score | Chicago Sky 92, Indiana Fever 85 |
| Winner | Chicago Sky |
| Game Type | Regular Season |
| Location | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis |
| Attendance | 8,000 spectators |
| Game Duration | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Player of the Match
| Player | Performance | Season Stats vs IND |
|---|---|---|
| Kahleah Copper | 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, Game-leading performance on both ends | 23.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 48.2% FG in 5 games |
Injuries
| Player | Injury Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Egbo | Day-to-day with a sprained ankle | Missed 4th quarter – averages 6.8 rpg |
| Emma Meesseman | Recovery from mild calf strain | Limited to 24 mins (season avg: 29.3) |
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