Fever beat Tempo as Kelsey Mitchell sets WNBA record: Score, stats

Updated Sept. 18, 2026, 11:26 p.m. ET

The Indiana Fever survived a scare against the injury-riddled Toronto Tempo on Friday, Sept. 18, keeping their quest for homecourt advantage in the 2026 WNBA postseason alive.

The Fever defeated the Tempo 103-85 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto in both team’s first game since the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup break. The Fever led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but the Tempo used a double-digit run to take its first lead of the game in the third quarter.

Then, Kelsey Mitchell entered the chat to get Indiana over the finish line. Mitchell finished with a game-high 33 points in the win, setting a new WNBA single-season scoring record (1,034) and a new franchise single-season 3-point record (128) in the process. Mitchell didn’t know she broke the record until her postgame interview.

“I only found out seven minutes ago,” Mitchell said. “It’s still settling in, but I think about … all the times that I wasn’t even supposed to be in these rooms. And I look back on my career and time with the Fever. At one point, 6-27 (team’s won-loss record in the 2021 season) … it took a lot of work to really be here.”

Mitchell, who shot 12-of-17 from the field and 7-of-11 from the 3-point line, has scored 20 or more points in 25 consecutive games this season. Caitlin Clark added a 28-point, 14-assist double-double in the win, her 14th of the season. It also marks the 20th time this season that both Clark and Mitchell have scored 20 or more points apiece.

“I don’t think people realize what (Mitchell) has done this year and how insane it’s been. It’s probably not talked about enough,” Clark said. “For her to score the ball consistently every single night and that the clip she’s doing it, how efficient she’s doing it, it’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen anything like it. … She’s not shooting layups. She’s shooting contested midrange jump shots. She’s getting downhill. And then obviously she’s shooting 47% from the 3-point line.”

The Tempo may have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they played inspired basketball on Friday, despite being without Marina Mabrey (right adductor), Brittney Sykes (left foot), Aneesha Morrow (left knee) and Maria Conde. Laura Juskaite led the way with 22 points, while Kiki Rice added 18.

The Fever improved to 26-14 on the season — tied with the Atlanta Dream — but remain fifth in the WNBA standings, just outside of the homecourt advantage awarded to the top four seeds. If the playoffs started today, the Fever would face off against the No. 4 Atlanta in the first round.

USA TODAY Sports provided live coverage of Friday’s matchup between the Fever and Tempo:

Fever vs. Tempo highlights

Caitlin Clark called for Flagrant 1 foul

Caitlin Clark was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after making contact with Isabelle Harrison’s face while driving to the basket with 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. Harrison was also called for a defensive foul on the play.

End of Q3: Fever 79, Tempo 73

Back and forth we go!

Friday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Toronto Tempo has featured eight lead changes in the third quarter alone after the Tempo took their first lead of the game with 8:14 remaining in the frame.

Kelsey Mitchell (25 points) and Caitlin Clark (18 points, 11 assists) have combined for 43 of the Fever’s 79 points. No other Fever player is in double digits. Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen each have seven points off the bench, while Aliyah Boston added six points.

Four of the Tempo’s starters have reached double digits, led by Kiki Rice’s team-high 18 points and four assists. Isabelle Harrison added 16 points and six rebounds, while Laura Juskaite and Temi Fagbenle have 13 points apiece.

Kelsey Mitchell sets WNBA single-season scoring record

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell continued her stellar 2026 WNBA season on Friday, Sept. 18 by claiming another record that was previously held by the league’s perennial MVP. In Friday’s matchup against the Toronto Tempo, Mitchell broke the single-season scoring record (1,021 points in 38 games) set by Aces star A’ja Wilson in 2024.

The record-breaking point came with 7:57 remaining in the third quarter as Mitchell effortlessly connected on a 24-foot 3-point jumper assisted by teammate Caitlin Clark.

Kelsey Mitchell sets franchise 3-point record

Kelsey Mitchell is reaching new heights in her ninth season in Indiana. The 5-foot-8 guard set a new franchise record for the most three-pointers made in a single season with 125 and counting.

Halftime: Fever 53, Tempo 50

The Fever led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but the Tempo went on 14-1 run to end the second quarter and come within one possession of Indiana at halftime.

The Fever are shooting 64.6% from the field and 8-of-15 from the 3-point line, but free throw attempts and offensive rebounds for Toronto have opened the door. The Tempo have a 10-2 advantage on offensive rebounds and have shot 20 free throws, compared to seven for Indiana through the first two quarters.

“I feel like it’s a pretty sloppy half for us,” said Caitlin Clark, who recorded 14 points and eight assists. “I got to give them credit. They’re going to fight. They’re going to keep fighting. So we got to come out ready in second half.”

Kiki Rice led the Tempo’s comeback by scoring nine of her 11 points in the second quarter. Isabelle Harrison also has 11 points, while Laura Juskaite added nine points.

Kelsey Mitchell is up to 16 points and two rebounds, only five points away from breaking A’ja Wilson’s WNBA single-season scoring record (1,021 points in 38 games) set in 2024.