Home SportsBasketballIndiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries Game Recap – June 19, 2025

Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries Game Recap – June 19, 2025

by Mick Lite
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Aliyah Boston Records Double-Double for Indiana Fever at Golden State | Full Game Highlights

Aliyah Boston recorded her 29th career double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Natasha Howard notched 13 points and 5 rebounds and Kelsey Mitchell added 16 points, but the Fever fell to the Valkyries 88-77 on Thursday night.

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Indiana Fever faced the Golden State Valkyries in a WNBA regular-season game at Chase Center in San Francisco, resulting in an 88-77 victory for the Valkyries. The game, broadcast on Prime Video, showcased a competitive battle, with the Fever leading for much of the game before a dominant fourth-quarter performance by the Valkyries sealed their win.

Game Summary

The Fever, coached by interim head coach Austin Kelly in the absence of Stephanie White (who missed the game for personal reasons), started strong, building leads in each of the first three quarters. Aliyah Boston led Indiana with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing her dominance in the paint. The Fever’s early momentum was driven by an 11-0 scoring run in the first quarter, sparked by Natasha Howard’s four points, giving them a 13-7 lead. By halftime, Indiana held a 47-39 advantage, thanks to contributions from Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, who combined for 17 points in the second quarter.

Despite their lead, the Fever struggled in the fourth quarter, where the Valkyries outscored them 33-18. Golden State capitalized on Indiana’s foul trouble, particularly when Boston was forced to sit after picking up her fifth personal foul. The Valkyries’ balanced attack, led by Kayla Thornton’s 16 points and six rebounds, and Tiffany Hayes’ 14 points and five assists off the bench, fueled a comeback that erased a 13-point deficit. A 10-3 run by Indiana to start the fourth quarter briefly extended their lead, but Golden State’s late surge, highlighted by contributions from Monique Billings and Chloe Bibby, secured the 88-77 win.

Key Performances

  • Golden State Valkyries:

    • Kayla Thornton: 16 points, 6 rebounds

    • Tiffany Hayes: 14 points, 5 assists

    • Monique Billings: Key early scoring, including four of the Valkyries’ first seven points in the first quarter

    • Chloe Bibby: Critical layup to halt Indiana’s 14-0 run in the first quarter

  • Indiana Fever:

    • Aliyah Boston: 17 points, 12 rebounds

    • Natasha Howard: Contributed 4 points in the first-quarter run

    • Caitlin Clark: Went scoreless in the first quarter but contributed to the Fever’s second-quarter push

    • Kelsey Mitchell: Added to the scoring effort, particularly in the second quarter

Notable Moments

  • The Fever led by as many as 13 points, showcasing their offensive firepower early on.

  • The Valkyries’ fourth-quarter dominance, outscoring Indiana 33-18, marked a turning point, with their balanced scoring attack overwhelming the Fever’s defense.

  • Caitlin Clark, coming off a controversial game against the Connecticut Sun that involved a scuffle and fines, was held scoreless in the first quarter but remained a focal point for Indiana’s offense.

  • The game marked the Valkyries’ sixth win of the season (6-6 record), making them the fastest expansion franchise to reach five wins earlier in the month.

Impact and Context

The loss dropped the Fever to a 6-6 record, despite their strong 4-1 performance in the Commissioner’s Cup group stage, which earned them a spot in the July 1 final against the Minnesota Lynx. The Valkyries, in their inaugural season, continued to impress, having won four of their last five games. The absence of Fever head coach Stephanie White added a layer of challenge for Indiana, with Austin Kelly stepping in to lead the team.

This game highlighted the Valkyries’ ability to rally from deficits and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, while the Fever showed resilience but struggled to maintain their lead late in the game. Both teams displayed the competitive spirit that has defined the 2025 WNBA season, with rising stars like Clark and Boston, and veterans like Thornton and Hayes, making significant impacts.

 

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