Following a hard-fought game against the Chicago Sky, the Indiana Fever held a postgame media availability session to discuss their performance, challenges, and outlook moving forward. The game, which ended in a tough loss, brought several key moments and talking points that players and coaches addressed openly.

Here’s a full recap of what was said during the Fever’s postgame media availability.

Coach Austin Kelly Reflects on the Game

Coach Kelly started by acknowledging the team’s effort but also highlighted areas needing improvement:

“Our players fought hard tonight, and you saw the heart and hustle on the court. But we made too many mistakes in crucial moments — turnovers, missed assignments, and a lack of execution when it mattered most.”

He emphasized the need for better discipline and focus going into upcoming games, adding:

“We have to clean up the details and play smarter basketball.”

Caitlin Clark Talks Leadership and Team Chemistry

Fever star Caitlin Clark shared her thoughts on the team’s chemistry and her role as a leader:

“Every game is a learning experience for us. We’re still building our chemistry, and sometimes it shows. I’m trying to lead by example, whether that’s scoring or encouraging teammates.”

Clark also noted the importance of staying positive despite the loss:

“We can’t let one game define us. We have to keep pushing, keep improving.”

NaLyssa Smith on Fighting Through Adversity

Forward NaLyssa Smith echoed similar sentiments about resilience:

“We know we didn’t get the result we wanted, but we’re not giving up. We’re fighting for each other, and that’s what will get us through tough stretches.”

Smith acknowledged some communication breakdowns on defense but expressed confidence in the group’s ability to bounce back.

Looking Ahead: Injuries and Adjustments

Questions about the health of key players like Aari McDonald and their impact on the team were addressed candidly. Kelly confirmed that McDonald is still recovering but expects her to return soon.

He also mentioned ongoing adjustments to rotations and strategies to better adapt to opponents.

Closing Thoughts

The Fever’s postgame media session showcased a team aware of its current struggles but determined to improve. With a mix of youth and veteran leadership, and a coaching staff focused on growth, Indiana aims to learn from each game and keep pushing forward.