In one of the most unexpected and satisfying wins of their season, the Indiana Fever pulled off a gutsy 80-70 victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces—and they did it without superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. Behind the scorching hand of Sophie Cunningham and a dominant third-quarter performance, the Fever demonstrated that they are more than just a one-player team.

Sophie Cunningham: Igniting the Fire

It’s not often that a team’s hottest scorer comes off the bench—or gets pulled while hot. But that’s exactly what happened with Sophie Cunningham, who continued her torrid post-break streak. Cunningham put up 15 points, going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and bringing energy, confidence, and poise to a Fever squad that needed a spark in Clark’s absence.

The 6-foot guard has been quietly building momentum over recent games, but this performance underscored her resurgence. “Sophie Cunningham is absolutely cooking,” one podcaster exclaimed. “She’s on fire—NBA Jam-style.” Many fans, however, questioned head coach Stephanie White’s rotation choices after Cunningham was benched shortly after hitting her second three of the third quarter. “She was on the verge of 20 points if they had let her ride the heatwave,” one analyst noted.

The Howard Takeover: A Two-Way Masterclass

While Cunningham caught fire from deep, it was veteran forward Natasha Howard who turned the tide of the game. Howard erupted for 18 points and 13 rebounds, including an 11-point third quarter that helped Indiana outscore Las Vegas 27-5 in the period—a staggering differential against the defending champs.

Howard was a model of efficiency: 6-for-9 from the field, 6-of-6 from the line, three steals, and zero turnovers. Her composed presence and smart decisions in transition were crucial. As one commentator put it, “There was none of that grab-the-board-and-dribble-into-a-double-team nonsense. She was surgical.”

Kelsey Mitchell and Ary McDonald: Clutch Down the Stretch

Kelsey Mitchell had a rough first half, shooting just 2-for-10, but rebounded when it mattered most. The veteran guard went 4-for-5 in the fourth quarter, finishing with 14 points and helping close the door on the Aces with a big three and some key drives.

Meanwhile, Ary McDonald hit arguably the biggest shot of the night—a dagger three that made it 78-70 in the final minutes, effectively sealing the win. “Cookies,” one fan joked. “That was the iso moment of the game.”

Aces Flatlined Behind the Arc

The Las Vegas Aces were a shadow of their championship selves, shooting an abysmal 2-for-15 from three-point range. Despite 20 points from A’ja Wilson and 19 from Jackie Young, the Aces struggled to find rhythm or consistency.

Chelsea Gray continued her season-long slump, and Juel Lloyd contributed only eight points. Asia Wilson also racked up five turnovers, and several questionable no-calls left fans frustrated—especially a key jump ball decision where Wilson appeared to reach over an Indiana player’s back.

No Clark, No Problem—for Now

This was the Fever’s second consecutive win over a top-tier opponent, and perhaps their most complete performance of the season without Caitlin Clark. They controlled the third quarter with smothering defense and crisp ball movement, something that had been lacking in prior games.

Even though head coach Stephanie White continues to raise eyebrows with her rotations—like giving Michaela Timpson only seconds of play in the first half and sitting a red-hot Cunningham—Indiana managed to gut out a victory with contributions up and down the roster.

What’s Next for Indiana?

With the win, the Fever inch closer to securing the sixth seed in the playoffs. However, the team still has issues to address—namely, bench inconsistency (five turnovers from Sydney Colson, 0-for-5 shooting from Lexie Hull) and fourth-quarter stagnation. Indiana was outscored 18-14 in the final frame, a pattern that needs to change if they want to sustain a postseason run.

A key matchup looms Sunday against the Chicago Sky—an opponent Indiana has already beaten with and without Clark. The Fever will need another all-hands-on-deck performance to build momentum down the stretch.