Indiana Fever Postgame Media Availability vs. Chicago Sky | May 17, 2025
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Indiana Fever Dominate Chicago Sky in Season Opener: Defense, Team Chemistry, and Historic Milestones Shine in Front of Sellout Crowd
Indianapolis, IN — May 17, 2025
The Indiana Fever opened their 2025 WNBA campaign with an emphatic statement, dismantling the Chicago Sky 93-58 in front of a sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse. In a game that showcased the team’s stifling defense, balanced attack, and a historic night for several players, the Fever sent a message to the rest of the league: this is a new era in Indiana basketball.
Defensive Masterclass Sets the Tone
From the opening tip, the Fever’s defensive intensity was palpable. Head coach Stephanie White praised her squad’s disruptive presence, highlighting the team’s ability to hold Chicago to under 30% shooting from the field and to keep the Sky under 20 points in every quarter.
“I thought we were disruptive,” White said postgame. “We came with a level of physicality. Anytime you can keep a team in this league to under 20 points in quarters, that’s important. They didn’t get a lot of clean looks. It wasn’t perfect, but we played through our deficiencies, our lapses, and mismatches. We played with multiple levels of effort, and that’s what it takes.”
Aliyah Boston, who anchored the interior defense, echoed her coach’s sentiments. “We were communicating about what we saw, who needed to pull over. We made them feel us, made them think about our pressure versus the play they wanted to run,” she said.
Clark’s Triple-Double and Defensive Growth
Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark stole the show with a dazzling triple-double—20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds—while also matching her WNBA career high with four blocked shots. The performance not only electrified the crowd but also signaled Clark’s evolution as a two-way player.
Asked about her shot-blocking, Clark credited her teammates and coaching staff. “Not really something you can work on,” Clark admitted about blocking shots. “I felt like I had active hands. I got some pokes when our post players were playing good defense. The coaching staff has challenged me to be a better defender every practice. There’s a lot of room for me to improve, but getting your hand in there and helping your teammate out makes a world of difference.”
The Flagant Foul: A Moment of Team Unity
The game’s only blemish came during a third-quarter scuffle that resulted in a flagrant foul for Clark and a technical for Boston. Both players downplayed the incident, stressing it was simply a hard basketball play.
“Let’s not make it anything that it’s not,” Clark said. “It was just a good play on the basketball. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am. I went for the ball, and that’s clear as day in the replay. It shouldn’t have been upgraded, but that’s up to the ref’s discretion. I appreciate AB [Aliyah Boston] having my back—I didn’t even see what she did!”
Boston, surprised to learn she’d received a technical, laughed off the moment and emphasized the team’s togetherness. “No one’s going to get anything easy against us. We’re going to be a tough defensive team. I’m proud of this group. We have a lot of young players and veterans, and understanding moments like that helps us grow from a mental toughness standpoint. We came together and used that to propel us.”
Balanced Offense and Unselfish Play
The Fever’s offensive performance was as impressive as their defense. Four players scored at least 15 points, and five took between 10 and 13 shots, a testament to the team’s depth and willingness to share the ball.
“I thought it was really good,” Coach White said of the balance. “When we’re at our best, you’re going to see seven or eight in double figures nightly. We have a group that’s much like the Pacers—great balance that makes us tough to guard and a tough matchup. As we continue to grow in attacking matchups and finding the right shot, those shots will become easier.”
Clark echoed the sentiment, noting the team’s chemistry is still developing. “It doesn’t feel perfect out there yet. We’re still learning how to set our teammates up for success in the half court. But we just have so many weapons. That’s what’s so fun—you swing it to the other side and you’ve got DB [DeWanna Bonner], Kell, TS, AB. There are just so many options.”
DeWanna Bonner’s Historic Milestone
Veteran DeWanna Bonner added another chapter to her storied career, climbing to third on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. The moment was met with a standing ovation from the crowd and heartfelt celebrations from her teammates.
“I’m just grateful,” Bonner said, reflecting on the achievement. “Most people don’t get up there. That’s really hard to do. To be in the league this long, you see all the cuts that happened this week with great, talented players. Just to be in that position, I’m grateful. I just try to soak in the moment, especially in front of all those fans.”
Clark praised Bonner’s leadership, calling her “the strongest voice in our locker room.” Bonner, who joined the Fever this season, said her experience has allowed her to step in and lead right away. “I’ve been around a very long time, so I kind of know the ins and outs of this league. It doesn’t change much. We have more attention now, but in order to win, you know what it takes. From day one, there hasn’t been any doubt in my leadership. This group really trusts me and listens to me, and they’ve been hungry since day one of training camp.”
Sellout Crowd, New Era of WNBA Basketball
The fever pitch inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse was unlike anything Bonner had experienced in her 17-year career. “I’ve never played in front of a crowd like this before,” she said. “Coming into the league 16, 17 years ago, we didn’t have this type of attention. To play in front of that crowd now, I was a little shell-shocked. My teammates are honored, and we’re thankful for the crowd and everybody showing up for us like this.”
Coach White also acknowledged the significance of the moment. “We have not been a very good defensive rebounding team in the preseason. [Chicago] got 13 offensive rebounds, but we didn’t allow them to convert on a lot of those. Angel Reese is probably the best offensive rebounder in the game, but our energy, effort, and attention to detail helped us cover up for some things.”
Staying Hungry and Moving Forward
Despite the dominant win, the Fever’s message was clear: don’t get comfortable. “This is a great first win, but we have 43 more games to go,” Clark said. “For us, it’s about making sure we lock in, rewatch the game, look at what we need to work on, and continue to get better.”
Coach White emphasized the importance of staying even-keeled. “You prepare every single night. That’s the great thing about this league. You play, then you have a day, then you play again. You have to be able to flush things really fast. You can’t get too high or too low. That’s the challenge for our group—build from it, appreciate how we competed, but know there’s a lot of ways we can still improve.”
The Road Ahead
The Fever’s season-opening victory was about more than just the scoreboard. It was a showcase of defensive grit, unselfish play, and the emergence of a new team identity. With a blend of youthful energy and veteran leadership, Indiana looks poised to make noise in the WNBA this season.
Bonner, reflecting on her journey, credited playing alongside legends like Diana Taurasi for her longevity. “I had the blueprint on how to stay in this league. From day one, I was drafted to Phoenix under her and got to watch how she worked every day. I want to follow those footsteps.”
As the Fever turn the page to the next game, the excitement around this team—and the WNBA as a whole—has never been higher. With stars like Clark, Boston, and Bonner leading the charge, Indiana fans have every reason to believe that this season could be something special.
