In a gripping showdown, the Indiana Fever faced the reigning champions, the New York Liberty, in a high-stakes game that ended in a narrow defeat. With just 2.6 seconds left on the clock and the Fever trailing by two points, 90-88, they had a chance to either tie the game or snatch a win. Positioned at halfcourt, the Fever had a strategic play in mind as Sophie Cunningham looked to pass to star player Caitlin Clark, who was being closely guarded by Natasha Cloud of the Liberty.
Cunningham made the pass to Clark, who began her drive toward the basket from beyond the 3-point line. However, Cloud managed to poke the ball away from Clark, leading to a controversial moment that could have been ruled a foul. The referees chose not to call the foul, allowing Liberty forward Breanna Stewart to secure the ball as the buzzer sounded, sealing the Fever's fate. Frustration erupted among Clark and her teammates, who vehemently protested the no-call. Despite their appeals, the officials remained steadfast, resulting in the Fever’s disappointing loss, bringing their season record to 2-2.
After the game, Clark reflected on the final play, stating, “I haven't watched it yet, but we used our reset timeout and ran a similar play to what we did against Atlanta.” Fever coach Steph White was quick to express her discontent with the officiating, stating, “I thought she got fouled. It’s pretty egregious what’s been happening to us the last few games.” White highlighted a concerning trend for the Fever: a significant free throw discrepancy with a minus-31 margin over their last few games. “We’re attacking the rim, and the disrespect for our team has been pretty unbelievable,” she added.
The game against the Liberty was particularly intense, with the Fever leading by 12 points at one stage in the fourth quarter. However, New York rallied back with a formidable 16-2 run following an Indiana timeout, effectively flipping the momentum. With the game tied at 88-88 and just 36 seconds remaining, White called for another timeout to set up a critical shot for Clark. Unfortunately, her 3-point attempt fell short, and Indiana center Aliyah Boston fought for a jump ball against Stewart, which the Fever won.
Despite a valiant effort, DeWanna Bonner’s layup attempt was blocked by Cloud, leading to another controversial non-call when it appeared Bonner was fouled. With the Fever still battling for control, guard Lexie Hull was called for a foul against Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu, a decision that White vehemently disagreed with. However, due to WNBA rules, White was unable to challenge the call because she had already utilized her reset timeout.
Ionescu capitalized on the opportunity, sinking both free throws and securing the two-point victory for the Liberty. Expressing her frustration, White stated, “I thought it was egregious, honestly. It’s really disrespectful.” She underscored the importance of consistency in officiating, especially in such critical moments of the game.
While officiating controversies played a significant role in the outcome, the Fever recognized that their performance in the fourth quarter also contributed to the loss. The team allowed New York to regain momentum, culminating in a challenging defeat for a young and promising squad aiming to establish itself in the league. Boston acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We have to finish through contact. If we don't get it, we don't get it, but we have to give ourselves the best opportunity to get that basket.”
The WNBA has implemented a system for coaches to submit plays for review, but White expressed skepticism about its effectiveness. “We can communicate our grievances, but I don’t know that I ever feel like the system works,” she said. “We’re just looking for consistency.” As the Fever move forward, they will need to focus on their performance while navigating the challenges posed by officiating and tight game situations.
This loss against the Liberty serves as a learning experience for the Fever, who remain hopeful for a stronger showing in their upcoming games. With players like Clark and Boston leading the charge, the Indiana Fever are determined to bounce back and make a mark in the WNBA this season.
