Kelsey Mitchell scored a game-high 21 points and the Indiana Fever erased a 10-point third-quarter deficit to earn an 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday in Indianapolis.

The Fever prevailed despite the absence of Caitlin Clark, who remains sidelined due to a groin injury.

Natasha Howard added 18 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana (13-12), which also got 13 points and 10 rebounds from Aliyah Boston. Sophie Cunningham contributed 15 points, and Aari McDonald sealed the outcome by drilling a 3-pointer with 34.9 seconds left for a 78-70 lead.

A’ja Wilson scored 20 points to lead Las Vegas (12-12) but hit just 7 of 17 shots from the field. Jackie Young added 19, while NaLyssa Smith chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Aces, though, made only 40.3 percent of their field-goal attempts and committed 14 turnovers.

The Fever connected on just 40.8 percent from the floor but were able to sink 11 of 23 3-point tries, in stark contrast to Las Vegas’ 2-of-15 performance from beyond the arc.

Mitchell found a cutting Boston in the lane for a layup and a 75-66 advantage at the 2:20 mark. After the Aces pulled within five points with under a minute remaining, McDonald nailed the clinching 3-pointer as the shot clock was running down.

The main storyline prior to tipoff concerned Clark, who missed her third consecutive game. Clark was injured late in a July 15 win over Connecticut. Indiana lost twice to New York in her absence.

The Fever roared out to a 16-8 lead on Howard’s floater at the 2:59 mark of the first quarter before Las Vegas gained traction. The Aces hit Indiana with a 20-2 burst, bridging the first and second periods, and grabbed a 26-18 advantage via Wilson’s layup with 6:44 left in the half.

Las Vegas took a 41-35 cushion into the break and led by eight early in the third quarter before the Fever surged.

Mitchell drained a 3-pointer with 2:46 remaining that sparked an 8-0 run, giving Indiana a 62-56 lead going to the fourth period.

–Field Level Media