Tensions flared during Friday’s heated matchup between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, leading to an on-court scuffle between two of the league’s standout players.
Midway through the third quarter, with the Fever holding a 61-51 lead and possession of the ball, things took a tense turn at the top of the key. Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell and Phoenix’s Natasha Cloud found themselves in a heated exchange that quickly escalated.
While it’s unclear what exactly sparked the confrontation, it appeared that both players exchanged sharp words before pushing each other, drawing immediate attention from players and officials alike.
Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Cloud getting a little chippy 👀 pic.twitter.com/S0cArJCoFM
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) August 17, 2024
The scuffle was quickly diffused by Fever forward NaLyssa Smith, who stepped in to separate the two. Initially, Mitchell was called for an offensive foul, but the officials ultimately issued offsetting technical fouls to both Mitchell and Cloud, underscoring the intensity of the moment.
The Mercury, feeding off the tension, rapidly closed the gap, briefly seizing a 62-61 lead. However, the Fever responded with a strong 12-3 run to end the quarter, securing a 73-65 advantage heading into the fourth.
For the Fever, it was their first game back after nearly a month-long break, while the Mercury entered the contest riding high from an 85-65 blowout victory over Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky the night before. The physicality and emotion on display underscored just how much was at stake as both teams fought for crucial positioning in the WNBA standings.
