It was clear from opening tip-off that the Mercury were playing energized, cohesive basketball on Thursday, and appeared keen to avenge their road loss to Indiana back on July 30. It was also a clearly emotional contest for DeWanna Bonner, who had a tumultuous and brief tenure with the Fever before ultimately getting released by them in June.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts gave a shoutout to Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham for coming to the defense of teammate Caitlin Clark during a fight between the Fever and Connecticut Sun earlier in the season.