When the sport’s most iconic player goes down with an injury, it’s common for teams to take a step back. Someone must have forgotten to tell the Fever.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday Larry Jones, Gary Trent, Al Brightman, and Swin Cash! 🎉

Around the Association

Mitchell’s 34 PTS lift Fever past Aces 89-73 in Game 1 of WNBA semis

No Caitlin Clark, no problem for the Indiana Fever.

On Sunday, Indiana continued their magical playoff run with a double-digit victory over the second-seeded Aces. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 34 PTS and four threes, while Aliyah Boston and the Indiana defense held recently-crowned MVP A’ja Wilson to 16 PTS on 6/22 shooting. Hitting shots is one thing, but slowing down the player with the most MVP awards (four) in the history of the league is another one entirely.

After losing Clark and fellow starter Sophie Cunningham to injury earlier in the campaign, many doubted that the Fever had what it took to get out of the first round, let alone make a deep playoff run. But in those players’ absence, others have shone, including Mitchell, Boston, Natasha Howard (12 PTS, 4/5 shooting), and Odyssey Sims (17 PTS).

In a best-of-five series, Indiana will need everything they have to hold off Vegas. But with their biggest name on the sideline, the Fever have made a name for themselves.

Lynx extend home win streak to 16 with 82-69 G1 win over Mercury

The Lynx have not lost at home since July 27. And at this rate, the next L may never come.

Top-seeded Minnesota continued its dominant campaign with a comfortable win over Phoenix, marking the Lynx’s 12th straight victory and 16th consecutive win at home. They’ve been almost unbeatable in the Target Center, going 20-2 there in the regular season en route to a league-best 34-10 record.

This time, it was All-Star Courtney Williams running the show with 23 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST, and 5 STL. Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride each added 18+, while Kahleah Cooper’s 21 and Alyssa Thomas’s 18 were not enough for Phoenix.

Last season, Minny fell to the Liberty in a hard-fought five-game Finals series. Now, after another stellar regular season the Lynx are the clear favorite to bring home this year’s crown (especially with New York eliminated). There will be plenty of challengers still to come, but none will succeed if they can’t find a way to win in Minnesota. Good luck.

Get well soon, Tyler!

Heat’s Herro to miss eight weeks, start of season following foot surgery

Injuries are a part of the game, but it’s always a bummer to see our favorite players missing time. Last Friday, Miami star Tyler Herro underwent successful surgery on his left foot and ankle, a procedure that’s expected to sideline him for the start of the upcoming campaign. Herro’s ankle reportedly bothered him throughout offseason training and “evidently worsened” in recent weeks.

Last season, the former Kentucky stud averaged 23.9 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 5.2 RPG. He was also named to his first All-Star team. His current return timetable is eight weeks, which would rule him out for Miami’s first 12-16 games. We’re wishing Ty a speedy recovery!

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, go out of your way to celebrate those around you. Compliment their outfits, recognize their wins. It all goes a long way toward making our world a happier place. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan