LOS ANGELES – It wasn’t the prettiest game for the Fever, but it was a win. Indiana took down Los Angeles, 76-75, in a game that took until the final buzzer.
It was Indiana’s first win of the season against Los Angeles. The Fever are now 21-18 and remain at sixth in the standings.
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Here are two observations from the game:
Fever vs. Sparks stats: How many points did Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston score in last-minute win?
‘She’s tough as nails.’ Lexie Hull’s 2 black eyes epitomizes her toughness
Indiana avoids sweep against Los Angeles
Three days after completing a sweep over the Seattle Storm, the Fever avoided being swept by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Los Angeles had won each of first three meetings between the two teams. This game, considering potential playoff implications, was especially important for the Fever to win.
It came down to the final seconds, as the teams were tied with 50 seconds left in the game. Los Angeles forward Azura Stevens then made one of her two free throw shots to take a 75-74 lead with 31 seconds left, and Odyssey Sims, after an offensive rebound from Aliyah Boston, laid the ball into the basket for a one-point, 76-75 lead with 13 seconds left.
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Indiana successfully defended the Sparks’ next possession, with Boston stealing the ball from Kelsey Plum and gaining possession. Los Angeles then fouled, and Kelsey Mitchell missed both her free throw shots, giving the Sparks one final chance with 0.1 seconds left.
And they couldn’t get a shot off before the final buzzer sounded.
Aerial Powers, on hardship contract, plays over Chloe Bibby
Indiana signed Aerial Powers, a versatile wing, on a hardship contract less than a week ago. And she’s already climbing up the depth chart.
Powers was the direct backup to Lexie Hull at the 3 on Friday night, playing 15 minutes and scoring nine points — her highest point total since joining the Fever — along with six rebounds.
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She got those minutes ahead of Chloe Bibby, who has been on the team since July and acted as a third-string wing when Sophie Cunningham was healthy and Hull was the backup. With Cunningham now sidelined for the rest of the season, Bibby was poised for a larger role — until she got injured herself.
Bibby was added to the injury report pregame on Aug. 22 after Stephanie White said Bibby “felt something” in her left knee while warming up. She missed three games with that knee injury before becoming available on Friday night.
Powers, who was signed ahead of the Aug. 24 game, has been impressive in her short time with the Fever. She’s a versatile wing that can play multiple positions, and she was a strong backup to Hull in those two games. She is fully healthy and ready to play, as well, while Bibby may need to continue some return to play conditioning before she’s back at full strength.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever vs LA Sparks score: Odyssey Sims, Aliyah Boston lead key win
