What happened
Aliyah Boston tallied 14 points and anchored the interior defense as the Indiana Fever survived a late rally to defeat the Washington Mystics 78-76 on Monday night. Indiana appeared to be in total control early, building a lead of as many as 17 points through disciplined execution and efficient scoring from their core rotation.
However, the Mystics mounted a fierce comeback in the final minutes, briefly taking a lead in the closing seconds of the Commissioner's Cup matchup. Indiana remained composed under pressure, regaining the advantage and defensive stops necessary to close out the contest. The victory marks a successful start to the tournament for a squad that has quickly found its rhythm in high-leverage situations.
Why it matters
The victory gives Indiana a crucial 1-0 start in the Commissioner’s Cup standings, establishing early momentum in the mid-season tournament. Aliyah Boston was the focal point of the win, providing the physical play and interior presence that anchors this Fever roster. This result reinforces Indiana's standing as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, demonstrating their ability to win even when momentum shifts late in the game.
By the numbers
Indiana's balanced offensive attack was led by Caitlin Clark, who finished with 19 points, while Kelsey Mitchell added 15 points to support Boston's 14-point performance. The Fever's ability to generate production from multiple sources proved vital as Washington’s defense tightened in the second half. For the Mystics, Onyenwere led the scoring with 17 points, while Austin contributed 12 points in the narrow loss.
What to watch next
Indiana looks to build on this tournament momentum as they continue their Commissioner’s Cup schedule, seeking to solidify their top-tier status in the East. Meanwhile, Washington faces a period of evaluation as they monitor an ankle injury to rookie Kiki Iriafen. The Mystics will need to find additional frontcourt consistency if they hope to bounce back from this 0-1 start in tournament play.