The Indiana Fever’s incredible run to the decisive Game 5 of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs came to an end with Tuesday’s 107-98 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces, but even forcing the extra period was yet another example of their resilience.
And their star player, who was one of many sidelined by injury, was nothing but proud after the game:
Sophie Cunningham shared a similar message:
Caitlin Clark was the biggest name who was ruled out for the season because of injury, but she was far from the only one. Indiana also lost Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson and Chloe Bibby to season-ending setbacks.
That put much of the onus on Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston to carry the team in the playoffs, but the former was lost to injury in the third quarter of Tuesday’s contest in a cruel twist of fate.Â
As if that wasn’t enough, Boston fouled out on a questionable call in the final minute of regulation.
Yet the Fever continued to fight with Odyssey Sims stepping into a leading role in crunch time. Sims attacked the basket and made a shot in the lane in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter to force overtime, but the Aces ultimately had too much firepower in the extra period.
Still, it was quite the season for the Fever, which caught the attention of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton in the process:
It was fitting that Haliburton was so inspired by the Fever’s postseason run, as he spearheaded another improbable playoff run for the Indiana Pacers that ended in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
The Pacers mixed in a number of comebacks and buzzer beaters during the playoffs and never seemed to quit, just like the Fever continued to fight back despite so much adversity.
The future is bright in Indiana as long as the core of Clark, Mitchell and Boston remains together, and this year’s improbable run in the face of so many injuries could serve as a jumping off point for an even better showing next season.
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