Indiana Fever send heartfelt message to fans after season-ending loss

The Indiana Fever forced a winner-take-all Game 3 against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. They lost the first game on Sunday but bounced back with a 99-89 Game 2 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse two days later. However, they failed to dethrone the defending champions, losing 94-83 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The team sent a heartfelt message to its fans after its elimination.

Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 23 points and two rebounds, but struggled with her shot, converting 7-of-23 attempts. Aliyah Boston contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, while Caitlin Clark, who was also inefficient the field, added 18 points and four assists. The three-time All-Star knocked down just 6-of-18 attempts and committed six turnovers.

Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson spearheaded Las Vegas’ attack. She finished with a game-high 31 points, along with 10 rebounds and two blocks. Chelsea Gray supplied 23 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Jackie Young chipped in 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston, head coach Stephanie White, guard Caitlin Clark (22) and assistant coach Karima Christmas-Kelly react to action.

Indiana Fever posts message for fans on social media

Indiana expressed gratitude to its fans with a post on Instagram. The graphic showed its players all smiling and the team added a heartfelt message in the caption.

“thank you fans you showed up and showed out all season long,” the Fever wrote.

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It’s a long offseason ahead for the team’s front office. It has big decisions to make to avoid another early elimination next year. Clark and Boston will likely all remain with the franchise, but Mitchell is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Re-signing her should be on top of Indiana’s priorities. This is the second straight year Las Vegas eliminated Indiana in the postseason.

The Fever amassed a 28-16 regular-season record. However, they were only able to clinch the No. 6 seed and did not own homecourt advantage in the first round. The Aces, on the other hand, owned a 31-13 win-loss slate and secured the No. 3 seed.