ATLANTA — The Indiana Fever eeked out a victory over the Atlanta Dream, 84-79, Monday night for their 14th win of the season — their highest number of wins since 2016, Tamika Catchings’ final season and Indiana’s last trip to the postseason.

The Dream (10-19) didn’t make it easy, though. The Fever nearly blew a 14-point lead, with the Dream getting within two points at the 3-minute mark of the fourth quarter. But ill-timed fouls by Atlanta kept Indiana in front, allowing the Fever just enough breathing room in the final minutes.

‘Pace and passing’: Lynx coach reveals Caitlin Clark’s biggest assets for Fever

The Fever are now 14-16 and remain seventh place in the WNBA standings, still in the playoff picture.

Here are three observations:

Caitlin Clark rolls ankle, quickly returns to game

Fever fans in the building collectively held their breath when Fever rookie Caitlin Clark fell, clutching her ankle, in the middle of the first quarter. She got tied up with Nia Coffey near the free-throw line and rolled her ankle, tumbling to the ground in pain.

Clark stayed on the ground for a while, her teammates surrounding her as the Fever called a timeout and had trainers come over to check out her ankle. After a long pause, Clark eventually was helped up off the ground and walked back to the bench.

Evidently, it didn’t seem like it was anything to worry about. Clark never left the bench, getting taped up as play resumed and Erica Wheeler subbed in for her. She sat on the bench for the rest of the quarter (about three minutes of game time), then checked back in for the second quarter with no limp in sight.

Slight ankle injuries aren’t new to Clark — she rolled the same ankle against the Sun back in May, going back to the locker room to get it checked out. She eventually returned to that game, too, and said postgame, “every basketball player has an ankle injury. If you don’t, you’re not a true baller.”

Lexie Hull starts second half in place of Katie Lou Samuelson

For multiple games at the beginning of the season, Lexie Hull sat on the bench for full games. DNP-Coach’s Decision showed up to her name next to multiple box scores — a stark difference for someone who started most of the Fever’s games in 2023.

Now, Hull is getting starter-level minutes off the bench.

She played 30 minutes Monday night, finishing with two points, four rebounds and two assists and had +/- of +4.

The third-year guard has played 20 or more minutes in each of the Fever’s past three games, including Monday’s contest against the Dream. She’s known for her defensive abilities, but she also has flashes of offensive prowess — including a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting against the Storm last week. She tallied a second-straight double-digit game against Minnesota, putting in 10 points in the Fever’s loss to the Lynx.

While Hull has been playing more and more minutes, it means fewer for Katie Lou Samuelson, who typically starts at the 3. Samuelson only played 14 minutes against the Lynx on Saturday, while Hull played 26. On Monday, Samuelson was limited to seven minutes and took just one shot. Samuelson has only made one shot in the three games since the Olympic break, going 1-of-11 from the field.

Kelsey Mitchell notches fourth straight game with 20+ points

If her recent play is any indication, the Olympic break was great for Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell. A two-time All-Star, Mitchell is averaging over 24 points per game in the Fever’s four games since the Olympic break.

She’s been a consistent scorer the entire season, averaging 17.8 points per game, but her scoring has found a new level.

More: Kelsey Mitchell ‘excited’ for free agency — that’s if she hits market.

Mitchell weaved around defenders in the 38 minutes she was on the floor Monday night and shot 10-of-23 from the field. Her two free throws with five seconds left put the Fever up five points, sealing a victory and giving Mitchell 29 points.

How many points did Caitlin Clark score against the Dream?

Clark tied the rookie record for 3-pointers made Monday night, making four to bring her total to 85. The Dream’s Rhyne Howard set the record in her rookie season in 2022. Now, Clark has 10 more games to set her own record.

The Fever rookie finished the game with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting (4-of-8 from 3-point range), and added on seven rebounds and seven assists.

Purdue will kick off the 2024 season with a familiar FCS opponent from Terre Haute. This game is 100% without a doubt a must-win for Ryan Walters and Purdue, mostly because the rest of their 2024 schedule is one of the toughest in the nation.

Let’s get to know the Sycamores.

Indiana State Sycamores (0-0)

2023 Record: 1-10

Series Record: Purdue 6-0

Last Purdue Win: 56-0, September 10th, 2022

Last Indiana State Win: None

Indiana State Head Coach: Curt Mallory (20-47 Career Record)

The 2023 Season for Indiana State:

The 2023 season for the Sycamores was a forgettable one, probably one they never really want to talk about again. Their only win came late in the season after starting 0-9, beating Western Illinois 27 to 6.

Aside from that, there has not been a lot for Sycamore fans to look forward to as they have not had a winning record since the 2018 Campaign. They only scored 13.45 points per game during the 2023 season, while allowing right at 30 points per game, again it was an abysmal season for Indiana State.

Now, they look to move forward, but it will be a process, as they are young on both sides of the football team again.

On offense, they return Kokomo native, Plez Lawrence, the speedster who rushed for over 500 yards last season, he will look to pace the offense, which is only bringing back four starters this season.

On defense, senior defensive back, JP Osafo will look to pace the secondary and lead a young defensive unit overall.

Game Outlook:

It will be a scorcher at Ross-Ade Stadium this weekend, with the highest reaching the low 90s, it could play a factor, and while Purdue is not that deep, they are much deeper than the Sycamores overall.

Way Too Early Prediction:

I would be shocked and disappointed if Purdue does not blow these guys out and pull away early. Look for the Boilers to win convincingly.

Purdue 45 Indiana State 7

Last week felt like fall. The summer heat returns this week. We could even reach our hottest temperatures of the season!

Mostly sunny skies mean temperatures climb quickly again today. Highs reach the lower 90s. Humidity will be noticeable, but manageable. Heat index values will reach into the middle 90s this afternoon.

Humidity and temperatures climb even higher Tuesday. We’re expecting our hottest day of the summer with highs in the middle 90s. Heat index values could reach around 105° Tuesday afternoon. That’s why we have an Excessive Heat Watch in effect.

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High temperatures are likely to stay in the 90s through the end of the week. We could get some heat relief from storms Wednesday and again Friday.

Indianapolis Weather Forecast:
Today: Mostly sunny. High: 93°
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low: 72°
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High: 96°
Wednesday: Partly sunny. Scattered t’storms. High: 93°
Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 93°

Indianapolis 7-Day Weather Forecast

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