No Caitlin Clark, No Problem: Indiana Fever Dominate the Chicago Sky Without Their Stars
The story entering June 7, 2025, was simple: No Caitlin Clark, no Sophie Cunningham, no head coach Stephanie White…the Indiana Fever are ripe for the taking. The Chicago Sky, led by Angel Reese, believed this was their easy win. Instead, what unfolded at Chicago’s iconic United Center was an emphatic reminder that the Fever are anything but a one-woman show. Despite being short-handed, Indiana rolled into the NBA’s biggest arena and delivered a statement: this team’s championship aspirations are real—and their depth may be even scarier than their star power.
Fever Depth Shines, Chicago Crumbles
Head coach Stephanie White was out for personal reasons, Sophie Cunningham was sidelined, and Caitlin Clark, the league’s most talked-about rookie, nursed a quad injury on the bench. Enter assistant coach Austin Kelly—promoted to acting head coach—and Indiana’s bench mob. In front of a sold-out crowd and a national CBS audience, Kelly and the Fever seized the moment.
If Sky fans hoped missing stars would mean an easy win, Kelsey Mitchell quickly obliterated those illusions. The veteran guard poured in 17 points, slicing through Chicago’s defense, drilling threes, and acting as a calming floor general when it mattered most. Mitchell was joined by Lexi Hull, whose hot streak continued as she shot a perfect 2-for-2 from deep with the game’s highest plus-minus, and new signing Ari McDonald, who ran the show at point guard as if she’d worn a Fever uniform for years.
Meanwhile, Aaliyah Boston, the team’s all-star forward, returned to vintage form with 11 points, five boards, and five assists—plus a career-high-tying five blocks. Natasha Howard was everywhere, and the rest of the supporting cast answered every challenge the Sky threw their way.
Indiana Outclasses Chicago on Both Ends
To call Indiana’s 91-64 win a blowout would be putting it lightly: this was total domination. The Fever shot 45.8% from the field and buried 11 threes at a 40.7% clip. Their offense hummed with 20 assists on 27 baskets and made Chicago’s defense look confused and overwhelmed.
On the other end, Indiana’s physicality and attention to detail shone. Angel Reese and her fellow starters shot just 8-for-29—a dismal 27.5%—and nobody on the Sky even reached double figures. The Fever’s defensive game plan was surgical: cut off second-chance points, force ugly shots, and seize every opportunity in transition.
Chicago finished with 19 turnovers, which the Fever ruthlessly converted into points. The Sky’s struggles magnified when veteran Courtney Vandersloot exited early with an injury; the home crowd’s hopes evaporated with every missed shot and each dazzling Fever possession.
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Ari McDonald: The X-Factor No One Expected
Perhaps the night’s biggest revelation was Ari McDonald. Signed only a week before as a hardship player, many fans thought she’d provide spot minutes. Instead, she delivered a floor general’s masterclass: 12 points, crucial threes, three steals, suffocating defense, and game-tilting momentum on both ends.
With McDonald at the helm, Indiana’s offense spaced itself wider and attacked with newfound ferocity. Chicago couldn’t keep up, and Coach Kelly never even needed a timeout to stop a run—the Fever simply kept rolling.
No Stars, No Problem: Statement Win in Context
This was supposed to be Chicago’s revenge game. After losing to Indiana by 35 points earlier in the year—and being the subject of “Is Indiana only Caitlin Clark?” debates—Sky fans wanted payback, especially at home. Instead, Indiana not only repeated their dominance, they delivered it with their best player sidelined.
When adversity struck, Indiana’s veteran core delivered. Mitchell led as a scorer and leader, Hull was clutch, Boston controlled the paint and the boards, and McDonald ran the show. When Kelly called for effort, his team “stacked days,” played for each other, and executed every defensive and offensive plan with playoff-level poise.
Chicago, meanwhile, was exposed—not just by score, but by identity. Angel Reese was again a non-factor offensively (just 4 points, shooting 2-for-7, albeit with 12 rebounds), and the Sky as a team shot 32.1% from the field and 20% from three-point range. Two consecutive wins over Dallas had given them hope, but both meetings with Indiana this season now tell a harsh truth: Indiana owns this rivalry, Clark or no Clark.
Fever’s “No Excuses” Culture on Display
Postgame, the Fever’s celebration matched their on-court joy. Even Caitlin Clark, perched on the bench in street clothes, was in the middle of the water-dumping, cheering, and team selfies. The culture Coach White and her staff have built was on full display—everyone plays, everyone matters, and no setback is an excuse.
Austin Kelly, thrust into the toughest spot of his career, looked the part of a chief at the helm. “I wanted them to make Chicago feel us,” he said postgame—mission accomplished. The Fever’s bench mob answered the bell, and every starter did their job, maintaining energy and execution all four quarters.
Rivalry Scorecard: Indiana 2, Chicago 0 (by 62 Points)
Through two meetings this season, the Indiana Fever have outscored Chicago by 62 points, leaving no doubt which team is for real. Whether Clark is dropping triple-doubles or acting as chief hype-woman, Indiana is building versatility, resilience, and a team-first mindset that screams “championship ingredients.”
Chicago? The Sky are left to reckon with their own limitations. With Minnesota now holding Chicago’s draft pick, and the Sky exposed in every matchup against Indiana, the future looks as cloudy as a Lake Michigan morning.
The Bottom Line
Just weeks ago, critics questioned if Indiana had anything beyond Caitlin Clark. On the league’s grandest stage, the Fever answered resoundingly: They are deep, they are tough, and on any night, someone else can step up.
If you have “the Fever,” now is the time to believe it’s contagious. This team’s ceiling keeps rising—and when their superstar returns, the rest of the league better be ready.
