Indiana Fever lose a close 90-88 game to New York Liberty. Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston shine, but controversial officiating draws sharp criticism.
Indiana Fever narrowly lost to New York Liberty, 90-88, despite standout performances from Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. The game ended in controversy after a no-call on Clark’s final possession, sparking criticism from Fever head coach Stephanie White over inconsistent officiating.
In a fiercely contested battle at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Fever suffered a heart-wrenching 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, marred by a controversial final sequence that overshadowed some brilliant individual performances.
First Half: Competitive Trading in the Paint
The game opened with both teams trading buckets inside the paint. Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 10 points in the first quarter. With less than two minutes remaining in the quarter, Caitlin Clark found Lexie Hull in traffic for a layup, followed by a steal from DeWanna Bonner, who assisted Hull again for a five-point burst in just six seconds.
In the second quarter, Boston added seven more points, but Sabrina Ionescu took over for New York, scoring 11 in the period and helping Liberty take a 55-46 halftime lead.
Fever’s Comeback Fueled by Clark and Hull
The third quarter marked a turning point. Lexie Hull dropped 8 points and Kelsey Mitchell added 7 to give Indiana its first lead since the opening period. The momentum swung further when Clark nailed a four-point play and a 34-foot buzzer-beater, giving Fever a strong 8-point lead heading into the fourth.
Liberty Closes the Gap, Controversy Ends the Game
Indiana erupted for 30 points in the third quarter, their highest in any quarter this season, while allowing just 13—tied for their best defensive quarter.
Despite the Fever’s momentum, Natasha Howard helped Liberty close the gap with consecutive baskets. In the final seconds, Liberty reclaimed the lead and held on, thanks to two clutch free throws by Sabrina Ionescu with 2.9 seconds remaining.
Indiana had a final shot attempt but couldn’t convert as time expired.
Notable Stats & Highlights
- Caitlin Clark recorded 18 points and 10 assists – her second double-double of the season and the 17th of her career.
- Aliyah Boston finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds, her second double-double of the year and 27th career.
- Clark became the fastest point guard in WNBA history to reach 250 rebounds, achieving the milestone in just 44 games.
- She is now the fastest WNBA player ever to tally 750+ points, 250+ rebounds, and 250+ assists.
- Lexie Hull, in her first start of the season, scored a season-high 15 points.
- Fever’s 30 third-quarter points were the most in any quarter this season, while the 13 points allowed matched their best defensive effort.
- The game drew a sellout crowd of 17,247, the second home sellout of the season for Indiana.
What’s Next?
Indiana Fever continue their road trip as they face the Washington Mystics in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday, May 28, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air nationally on NBA TV and locally on WTHR.
Controversial Officiating Sparks Outrage
The final seconds weren’t just disappointing for fans — they ignited strong reactions from Indiana’s camp.
Head coach Stephanie White was visibly frustrated with a no-call involving Natasha Cloud, who appeared to bump Caitlin Clark on the final possession.
“I thought she got fouled. What’s happening to our team right now is incredibly disrespectful,” said White. “It’s not going both ways, or it hasn’t.”
White called the officiating “corrupt” and questioned the effectiveness of the league’s system for reviewing calls. While the WNBA allows teams to submit footage and concerns, White expressed doubts about the system’s impact.
“We can submit clips, but does the system really work? I don’t think so,” she added.
Clark declined to comment on the final call until she reviewed the play:
“I don’t know. I’ll have to go back and look,” she said postgame.
Clark was seen yelling at officials right after the play, believing she had been fouled. Sophie Cunningham also approached the referees in protest. Replays appeared to show Cloud pushing Clark in the shoulder as the ball came loose—yet no whistle followed.
Repeated Officiating Concerns for Indiana
Saturday’s loss brought the Fever to 2-2 on the season. However, White emphasized that this wasn’t an isolated incident—several controversial calls have gone against Indiana in the opening four games.
In the final moments of Saturday’s game:
- Bonner appeared to be fouled by Natasha Howard, but no call was made.
- Lexie Hull was called for a foul on Sabrina Ionescu, which resulted in two free throws that gave Liberty the win.
- Indiana had a challenge left but couldn’t use it due to being out of timeouts.
- Clark was stripped by Cloud on the last possession and again sought a foul that wasn’t called.
Final Recap
Despite the loss, the Fever showed grit and development, particularly from their star players. While officiating dominated the postgame conversation, this team appears to be growing rapidly under pressure.
Clark Performance was outstanding:
“It’s probably frustrating… but we can learn a lot from both our losses — to Atlanta and New York — by a combined three points.”