The WNBA rivalry between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky took center stage once again on Sunday, July 27, 2025, as the two teams faced off at Chicago’s United Center. Indiana came into the matchup riding a wave of momentum, and they didn’t disappoint, delivering a crushing 79-52 victory over the struggling Sky.
🔗 Stay updated with live play-by-play and box score for Fever vs Sky on ESPN.
📊 Game Preview: Fever Aiming for 3-0 Sweep of the Series
Coming into the game, Indiana Fever (13-12) had already won both previous matchups against the Chicago Sky (7-17) this season. The Fever were confident following a strong performance earlier in the week where they upset the Las Vegas Aces. The Sky, on the other hand, were desperate to break a losing streak and rediscover their rhythm.
Notably missing from the court were two key names in the women’s basketball world: Caitlin Clark (Fever) and Courtney Vandersloot (Sky). Clark remained sidelined due to a groin injury, while Vandersloot continues to recover from an ACL tear, leaving Chicago without their court general and Indiana without their media magnet.
First Half: Fever Establish Early Dominance
Fr🔥om the tip-off, the Fever played with urgency. Kelsey Mitchell quickly found her rhythm, sinking shots from mid-range and behind the arc. Alongside her, Natasha Howard established a strong presence in the paint, grabbing rebounds and drawing fouls.
The Fever’s defense suffocated the Sky, who struggled with turnovers and poor shot selection. By the end of the first quarter, Indiana had taken a 10-point lead and never looked back.
🧠 Halftime Strategy and Adjustments
With Angel Reese underperforming and Kamilla Cardoso quiet, the Sky looked to make changes at halftime. But the adjustments didn’t yield results. The Fever’s bench, including Aari McDonald and Sophie Cunningham, came in and added spark, extending the lead with strong defensive plays and fast-break buckets.
Meanwhile, the Sky were out of sync. The absence of Vandersloot was obvious—Chicago’s ball movement slowed, and possessions ended without good looks at the basket.
🏁 Second Half: Fever Cruise to Victory
In the third quarter, Mitchell and Howard took over again. Howard’s powerful drives and Mitchell’s clutch shooting pushed Indiana’s lead past 20 points. The Fever ran plays with confidence, worked the clock smartly, and kept defensive pressure high.
Chicago’s struggles continued. Despite Angel Reese grabbing double-digit rebounds again, she couldn’t spark the offense. Rebecca Allen and Kia Nurse had brief runs, but turnovers and missed shots piled up. The Sky finished the game shooting just 32% from the field with 21 total turnovers.
🏆 Final Score and Player Performances
Final Score:
Indiana Fever 79 – Chicago Sky 52
Top Players – Indiana Fever
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Kelsey Mitchell: 17 points, 3 assists, 2 steals
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Natasha Howard: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
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Aari McDonald: 10 points off the bench
Top Players – Chicago Sky
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Angel Reese: 12 points, 14 rebounds
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Kamilla Cardoso: 8 points
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Rebecca Allen: 8 points
What This Game Means
✅ Indiana Fever: Playoff Hopes Stay Alive
With this win, Indiana moves closer to a playoff spot. Despite missing their rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, they’re proving they can win with depth and experience. Kelsey Mitchell continues to lead the team, while Howard’s veteran presence gives them the stability they need in tight games.
❌ Chicago Sky: Pressure Mounts
The Sky now face serious questions. They’ve lost their last four games and have fallen to the bottom tier of the Eastern Conference. While Reese continues to rebound and hustle, the lack of leadership, shooting, and game management is hurting them badly.
🎥 For fans who missed the game, USA Today’s highlight coverage and stream recap provides a complete breakdown.
🎙️ Post-Game Quotes (Reported)
Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana:
“We knew this was a big one. We had to keep our foot on the gas. Everybody contributed today — it was team basketball.”
Angel Reese, Chicago:
“We’re frustrated, of course. But we’re learning. It’s on me and the veterans to regroup and focus on what we can control.”
📈 Series Recap: Fever Lead 3–0
With today’s win, the Fever have now swept the season series (3–0) against the Sky. Their previous two victories were close — today was a full domination.
| Game Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2025 | Indiana | Fever 85 – Sky 83 |
| June 30, 2025 | Chicago | Fever 68 – Sky 62 |
| July 27, 2025 | Chicago (Rematch) | Fever 79 – Sky 52 ✅ |
📌 Key Takeaways
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Indiana has found ways to win even without Caitlin Clark.
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Chicago desperately needs a consistent scoring threat and a healthy playmaker.
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Angel Reese’s rebounding is elite, but team chemistry is still off.
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Mitchell and Howard are the unsung heroes in Indiana’s current run.
🗓️ What’s Next?
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Fever will return home to host the Washington Mystics next week.
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Sky will stay in Chicago to face the Atlanta Dream — a must-win for morale.
