How a road rally in mid-August catapulted the Fever to the WNBA semifinals

On August 17, the Indiana Fever faced a daunting challenge during a game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, trailing by 19 points in the second half. With the team two games above .500 and only three weeks left in the regular season, every game was crucial for their playoff hopes. Compounding their difficulties, the Fever had recently lost point guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald to season-ending injuries, Caitlin Clark was out indefinitely, and during the game, guard Sophie Cunningham suffered a serious knee injury in the second quarter.

In the locker room at halftime, Coach Stephanie White issued a simple challenge to her players, urging them to choose fight over flight and emphasizing their identity as fighters who support each other. The team responded by mounting an incredible second-half comeback, overcoming a 21-point deficit to win 99-93 in overtime, marking the largest comeback in franchise history.

This victory became a turning point for the Fever's season, showcasing their resilience and belief. It propelled them to their first WNBA semifinal appearance since 2015, despite being the No. 6 seed and dealing with multiple injured players, including surviving two elimination games in the first round against the No. 3 seed and now facing the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

Coach White and players like Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Lexie Hull reflected on the team's unwavering spirit, noting that their collective belief allowed them to persevere through adversity. White described it as an innate quality that gives them a chance in tough situations, as evidenced by their ability to rally after Cunningham's injury and the early deficit.

The comeback was statistically remarkable, as WNBA teams had a historical record of 29-1,722 when trailing by 20 or more points, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, underscoring the improbability and significance of Indiana's achievement.