Aliyah Boston, Fever Lose to Mystics with Caitlin Clark Out, Drop to 18-16 on Season

Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever fell 88-84 to the Washington Mystics on Friday night at home, playing once again without former No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, who remains out with a right groin injury.

Clark, the reigning Rookie of the Year, has not played since suffering the injury on July 15 in the final minute of Indiana’s 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun. The injury is the latest in a season marked by setbacks for the star guard, who has been limited to just 13 games. She’s averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.

In Clark’s absence, Boston stepped up with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell added 14 points and nine assists for Indiana, which struggled to find rhythm offensively without its floor general.

Meanwhile, Washington’s Sonia Citron led the way with 21 points, two rebounds and three assists to lift the Mystics to victory and improve to 15-18 on the season. The Fever dropped to 18-16 but remain sixth in the WNBA standings as the playoff race heats up.

Mitchell led the Fever at halftime with 10 points and five assists, while Natasha Howard and Odyssey Sims each chipped in nine. Sophia Cunningham struggled through the opening two quarters, going 0-for-1 from the field but contributing three assists. Boston entered the half with six points.

Turnovers played a key role in the first half, with both teams combining for 13. Indiana took advantage, scoring six points off giveaways while holding Washington scoreless in that category. The Fever built a 13-point lead early in the second quarter, but the Mystics responded with a run to cut the deficit to 45-40 by halftime.

The Mystics narrowly outscored the Fever 22-19 in the third quarter to keep it close, with Indiana holding a two-point lead heading into the final frame. The Fever kept the Mystics on their heels throughout the fourth but couldn’t regain the lead, despite cutting the deficit to two on an Boston layup with just over six seconds remaining. Time wasn’t on their side, and Washington sealed the win at the free-throw line.

With no timetable for Caitlin Clark’s return, according to Fever coach Stephanie White, Indiana will face the last-place Connecticut Sun on the road Sunday.