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.

Veteran guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald have been ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to the injuries they sustained during Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury. Colson tore her left ACL in the contest, while McDonald broke a bone in her right foot.