The Indiana Fever (17-10) are sitting robust at the fifth seed in the WNBA’s total standings following the All-Star break. The season now turns to the second half, and it will not get any simpler for Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and firm.
Things have undoubtedly been clicking on all cylinders for the Fever who’re winners of eight of their final 11 video games and at the moment lead the total WNBA in scoring offense, however they’ve one in all the most difficult remaining schedules of any playoff-seeking crew. Their All-Star expertise in Clark, Mitchell and Aliyah Boston will likely be put to the take a look at, as will their newly revamped bench depth.
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With 17 video games remaining, listed here are a few of the most essential matchups that await the Fever.
Jul 1, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indiana Fever ahead Aliyah Boston (7) holds the ball as Minnesota Lynx ahead Bridget Carleton (6) and Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier (24) performs protection in the second half throughout the Commissioner’s Cup ultimate at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect
The Fever have but to face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx this season and after they do meet it can undoubtedly make for a compelling matchup. The Fever will journey to Minnesota on August 2 for his or her first head-to-head assembly earlier than dealing with one another on back-to-back video games set for September 22 (at Indiana) and September 24 (at Minnesota) to shut out the common season.
A must-watch showdown will likely be the first assembly between Caitlin Clark and rookie sensation Olivia Miles. Both groups will probably put collectively excessive scoring affairs with the Lynx being second in the league in offensive scoring, trailing only the Fever.
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Lynx star Napheesa Collier has made her extremely anticipated return establishing a stable paint matchup with the Fever’s three-time All-Star, Aliyah Boston. Natasha Howard, who performed for the Fever throughout the 2025 season, is piecing collectively one in all her finest seasons and can face her former crew for the first time. This recreation will deliver intriguing matchups between star expertise, however it can additionally probably carry essential playoff seeding implications and provides every crew an thought of the place they stand heading into the playoffs.
Jul 12, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) dribbles the ball towards Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) throughout the first quarter of a WNBA basketball recreation at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect
The final recreation towards the Las Vegas Aces will occur early on to begin the second half of the season on August 6. Indiana has but to lose to the Aces in 2026 with a type of wins coming with Caitlin Clark in the lineup and one with out her. The Fever dominated the Aces of their most up-to-date matchup successful 109-75 behind a 27-point efficiency from Kelsey Mitchell.
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Las Vegas is at the moment sitting in third place in the total standings, and the Fever ought to might use one other enhance by going 3-0 in head-to-heads, which might assist them for playoff seedings.
May 9, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball whereas Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect
The Fever will face the Dallas Wings two extra instances earlier than the finish of the common season. Their subsequent assembly will happen on August 14 in Indianapolis earlier than the Fever head to Dallas on August 20 for his or her ultimate head-to-head matchup.
The Wings acquired the better of the Fever in the 2026 common season opener in Indianapolis, however the Fever are at the moment enjoying their finest basketball. These upcoming video games towards Dallas will function a litmus take a look at of simply how far Indiana has come since then.
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It’s all the time an intriguing recreation to watch when Caitlin Clark goes head-to-head with Paige Bueckers, who’ve each stolen the present since becoming a member of the league and are clear fan favorites. The Fever hope that their development since their first assembly with the Wings will assist them achieve some important floor and surpass them in the standings.
Jul 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball whereas New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect
The present collection between the Fever and the New York Liberty sits even at 1-1. Their ultimate two conferences will happen on August 11 (at Indiana) and on August 22 (at New York). Indiana overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the Liberty 108-88 of their July 18 assembly anchored by yet one more massive performance from Kelsey Mitchell who tallied 33-points in the contest.
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The Liberty’s early season victory over the Fever got here throughout Commissioner’s Cup play, which resulted in the Fever lacking out on the championship recreation towards the Las Vegas Aces. Although the Liberty at the moment path the Fever in the standings and have struggled as of late, they’re nonetheless very a lot on their heels and any slip-up might see New York surpass them down the stretch.
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This article was initially printed on www.si.com/wnba/fever as Key Second Half Games to Watch on the Indiana Fever’s Schedule .
