Indianapolis, IND –  The Indiana Fever secured their third consecutive victory on Friday night, defeating the expansion Golden State Valkyries 90–82 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The win moved Indiana to a 4–2 record, marking the franchise’s best six-game start since their 2012 championship season. The spotlight was firmly on Caitlin Clark, who returned to the lineup after a one-game absence due to a back injury, finishing with a game-high 22 points and 9 assists.

➡️  Fever vs Valkyries photos

While Clark orchestrated the perimeter, Aliyah Boston dominated the paint. Boston delivered a “monster” performance, recording 20 points and a career-high-tying 16 rebounds. This marked her 42nd career double-double, moving her into a tie for 34th on the WNBA’s all-time list. Her presence was particularly felt in the second half, where her 13 points and aggressive rebounding helped Indiana erase a halftime deficit.

The game was a tale of two halves. Golden State took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Fever 26–18 to take a 44–37 lead into the locker room. The Valkyries’ bench kept them competitive throughout the night, led by veteran Tiffany Hayes, who put up 19 points, and rookie Kaitlyn Chen, who added 18. Their depth initially overwhelmed Indiana’s starters, but the Fever’s halftime adjustments proved decisive.

Indiana’s resurgence in the third quarter was sparked by elite shooting and disciplined play at the charity stripe. After a cold first half from deep (4-of-17), the Fever knocked down 6 of 9 three-pointers in the second half. Kelsey Mitchell was instrumental in closing the door on Golden State, scoring 19 points and maintaining a perfect 11-for-11 mark from the free-throw line. Sophie Cunningham also provided a vital spark off the bench with 11 points, including key shots during a 29–17 third-quarter run.

The Valkyries refused to go quietly, cutting a 10-point lead down to just four with two minutes remaining following a drive by Chen. However, Indiana’s veteran composure took over. The Fever utilized their size advantage and executed at the line to seal the eight-point win. For Golden State (3–2), the loss snapped a momentum-building stretch, but their ability to hang with one of the league’s rising powers signaled that the expansion team will be a factor throughout the 2026 season.