Caitlin Clark Rallies Fever as Aliyah Boston Dominates Fourth Quarter, Aari McDonald Drops Career-High in Win Over Mercury

The Indiana Fever are heating up — and this time, it wasn’t just Caitlin Clark doing the damage.

In a statement win over the Phoenix Mercury, the Fever showed off the full depth of their young roster. While Caitlin Clark played the role of orchestrator and motivator, it was Aliyah Boston and Aari McDonald who stole the show late, combining power and speed to seal a critical victory and keep Indiana’s playoff hopes alive.

Clark, often the face of the headlines, played a composed, efficient game, focusing on setting up her teammates and energizing the squad from the start. But when the fourth quarter came around, it was Boston who took over. The second-year star delivered a monster performance in the final stretch — owning the paint, grabbing crucial rebounds, and scoring big-time buckets to shut the door on the Mercury’s late comeback push.

“She was unstoppable,” Clark said of Boston after the game. “That’s the Aliyah we know — strong, smart, and dominant when it counts.”

Boston finished with a near double-double, but it was her presence in crunch time that truly turned the tide. Whether it was posting up against veteran defenders or drawing fouls and sinking key free throws, she had the answer every time Phoenix tried to claw back.

And then came Aari McDonald — the speedy guard who’s been steadily climbing the rotation all season. Against the Mercury, she blew the roof off with a career-high performance, dazzling with fast-break finishes and clutch perimeter shooting. Her fearless drives and cool-headed play gave the Fever another spark plug to rely on.

“She’s been grinding every day,” Clark said of McDonald. “Tonight, she just let it fly — and it was beautiful to watch.”

Clark herself added another solid performance to her rookie resume, finishing with a mix of assists, timely threes, and defensive hustle. But more than the stat sheet, it was her leadership and sideline energy that stood out. From rallying teammates during timeouts to chest-bumping Boston after big plays, Clark’s impact extended beyond the scoreboard.

The win wasn’t just about numbers — it was about belief. Indiana looked like a team finding its rhythm. The ball movement was crisp, the defense locked in, and the chemistry undeniable. With multiple players stepping up, the Fever showed they’re not just the Caitlin Clark show — they’re a team building something special.

Head Coach Christie Sides praised the group’s resilience. “We’ve taken some tough losses this year, but tonight we responded. We trusted each other. That fourth quarter was all heart.”

The victory was a key momentum builder in the playoff race and a confidence boost for a roster that’s learning how to win — together.

With Boston’s power, McDonald’s speed, and Clark’s vision and leadership, the Fever are proving they’re more than hype. They’re becoming a problem — and the rest of the league better pay attention.