The Iпdiaпa Fever restarted their 2024 WNBA campaigп with a baпg, pυlliпg off a 98-89 wiп over the Phoeпix Mercυry at Gaiпbridge Fieldhoυse.
With the victory, the Fever moved to 3-0 on the season against the Mercury, completing the season sweep.
This game was dominated by multiple different heated interactions between both teams, but one that stood out was the scuffle between Phoenix’s Natasha Cloud and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell.
Both players started jawing at each other after Mitchell shoved Cloud for setting a screen. The two had to be broken up, and both received technical fouls after the referees reviewed the altercation.
Natasha Cloud and Kelsey Mitchell get a bit spicy 👀🌶️
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) August 17, 2024
Following the game, Cloud took part in a postgame press conference and addressed the minor fight with Mitchell, saying they are competitors.”
“That’s my dog, Cloud said. “Two competitors. Me and Kelsey have gone at it for years now. We played at AAU together. I have nothing but love for her. You saw us at the end, too; it’s always love. That’s just competitiveness of the game. I love that s**t… But everything’s cool.”
Here is what Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud said about her in-game scuffle with Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell: #WNBA #WNBATwitter
#ValleyTogether #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/RttvNfD0HP— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) August 17, 2024
Cloud finished the contest with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, three assists, and three steals. Mitchell added 28 points on 50% shooting for the Fever, which tied her season-high.
With the win, the Fever jumped to 12-15 on the season, but they remained in the third-place spot in the Eastern Conference. The Mercury fell to 14-13 and also kept their position in the West standings, sitting in fourth place.
If the season were to end today, Indiana would hold the seventh seed in the playoffs, and Phoenix would own the sixth. Eight total teams are able to obtain a spot in the playoffs, regardless of conference.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) and Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud (0) get into an argument during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in indianapolis
The Fever will play their next game on Sunday, August 18, at 3:30 p.m. ET against the Seattle Storm. Later that night, the Mercury will host the Sky, whom they just beat by 20 points on Thursday.
