The Indiana Fever face the Minnesota Lynx in the final game of the WNBA regular season, with Caitlin Clark listed as probably to play after returning from the FIBA title. The matchup carries direct implications for playoff seeding, as an Indiana win secures the fifth seed, while a loss could drop the team to the sixth seed.
Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever's standout scorer, enters the game with 1,076 points, setting the single-season record for most points in a season. This total marks just the third 1,000-point campaign in league history and the first achieved by a player other than A'ja Wilson. Mitchell has increased her scoring output each year for the past four seasons, demonstrating versatility by scoring from all three levels and increasing her made three-pointers annually since 2020.
On the other side of the court, the Minnesota Lynx have already locked up the number one seed in the postseason. While Napheesa Collier, the league's MVP last year, has returned to form after an injury that limited her availability, she is expected to have limited playing time in this finale. Collier has averaged 17.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in her 15 games back this season.
The Lynx's resilience following Collier's injury was bolstered by rookie Olivia Miles, who is also expected to sit out this game. Miles broke Clark's rookie points record in her first season, averaging nearly 20 points per game alongside 4.7 rebounds and six assists. Her efficiency stands out, with shooting splits approaching 50-40-90 from the key areas.
The absence of both Miles and potentially Collier leaves Minnesota with less incentive to compete fully, as their seeding is already secured. Indiana, however, has everything to gain in its final home game. Depending on their final placement, the Fever could face either the Atlanta Dream or the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the playoffs.