INDIANAPOLIS — Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points, Caitlin Clark had 20 points and 13 assists for her fifth straight double-double and the Indiana Fever beat the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 95-86 on Friday night.

Kahleah Copper scored 20 of her 36 points in the fourth quarter as the Mercury (12-11) trimmed what had been a 31-point third-quarter deficit to single digits.

Mitchell gave Indiana (10-14) an 81-50 lead with 1:55 left in the third quarter before the Mercury scored the next 17 to get with in 81-67 on Sophie Cunningham’s 3-pointer. Copper converted a shot in the lane with 5:02 left to get Phoenix within 85-76.

Clark tied the franchise record with her 13th assist on a cross-court pass to Mitchell for a 3-pointer and a 92-83 lead with 1:33 left.

Phoenix’s comeback came without center Brittney Griner, who collided with a teammate in the first half and stayed on the floor before a timeout was called. The team announced Griner would not return due to a right hip injury. The Mercury were already without starters Diana Taurasi (leg) and Natasha Cloud (knee).

Copper scored 23 of her 36 points in the final 20 minutes.

Clark secured the double-double early in the third on a pass to Mitchell for a 62-40 lead. Clark also set a franchise record for assists in a quarter when she had seven in the first.

Aliyah Boston added 21 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana while NaLyssa Smith added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Cunningham added 21 points for Phoenix, which had won three in a row.

Clark completed a three-point play with eight seconds left in the first half as Indiana closed on a 10-2 run for a 55-35 lead. Mitchell scored 17 points in the first half, Clark had 15 and Boston added 10.

In a thrilling matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury, the Fever came out on top with a final score of 85-77. This victory was particularly impressive as it marked the fifth consecutive double-double for Fever forward Jessica Clark.

Clark has been a dominant force on the court in recent games, showcasing her versatility and skill as both a scorer and a rebounder. In this game against the Mercury, she put up an impressive stat line of 20 points and 12 rebounds, leading her team to victory.

The Fever’s win over the Mercury is a significant one, as the Mercury are considered one of the top teams in the league. The Fever’s ability to defeat such a strong opponent speaks to their talent and determination as a team.

Clark’s performance in this game solidifies her as a key player for the Fever, and her consistent double-double performances are a testament to her skill and work ethic. As the Fever continue their season, they will undoubtedly look to Clark to continue her impressive play and help lead them to more victories.

Overall, the Fever’s win over the Mercury and Clark’s fifth consecutive double-double are both impressive feats that highlight the talent and potential of this Indiana team. Fans can look forward to seeing more exciting performances from Clark and the Fever as they continue their season.