LIVE: Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark battling Los Angeles Sparks at halftime

The Indiana Fever, who have earned an WNBA playoff berth for the first time since 2016, started a six-game homestand against the Los Angeles Sparks (7-25) on Wednesday night.

Indiana (17-16) is on a roll, with four straight wins that have propelled it to sixth place in the standings. However, a turnover-plagued first half left the Fever trailing 48-47.

The Fever are powered by guards Kelsey Mitchell (19.0 points per game for the season, 26.7 since the Olympic break) and Caitlin Clark (18.7, 24.6), the Eastern Conference Player of the Month. Fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston adds 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds, and NaLyssa Smith 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.

The Sparks have struggled since the break, but they beat the WNBA-leading New York Liberty on Aug. 29. Dearica Hamby leads L.A. with 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Rookie Rickea Jackson adds 12.6 points (37.2% on 3-pointers), and Azura Stevens 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.

Want more Fever coverage? Follow Chloe Peterson and subscribe to IndyStar’s Fever newsletter. Want to remember this season forever? Pre-order our book on Clark’s rookie season.

Don’t forget about coach: Christie Sides becomes the first from the Fever to win this award

Waking up to the playoffs: While you were sleeping, Indiana clinches a spot

On a roll: Fever over .500 for first time since 2019

Fever vs Sparks closing minutes

1:51: Odyssey Sims and-1. Fever 87-84

2:20: Aliyah Boston 2-of-2 free throws. Fever 87-81

2:55: NaLyssa Smith 1-of-2 free throws. Fever 85-81

2:55 left 4Q: Sparks stay close to Fever

Fever 84, Sparks 81

Five L.A. players are in double figures, led by Odyssey Sims with 17 points. Four Indiana players are in double figures, led by Caitlin Clark’s 22.

7:19 left 4Q: Caitlin Clark takes over

Fever 76, Sparks 68

Caitlin Clark hits a 3, then feeds Aliyah Boston (20 points, 12 rebounds) with a behind-the-back pass for a layup. Clark has 22 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

End 3Q: Caitlin Clark leads Fever

Fever 69, Sparks 65

Caitlin Clark hits a 3-pointer with 6:04 to go to put the Fever up 58-55, then she converts a steal on the next play. Clark has 19 points.

6:40 left 3Q: Fever tie the Sparks

Fever 55, Sparks 55

Kelsey Mitchell scores off of a loose ball. She and Aliyah Boston have 16 points each. Odyssey Sims has 12 for L.A.

Halftime: Sparks 48, Fever 47

Aliyah Boston has 14 points with 6 rebounds for Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell has 12 points, and Caitlin Clark has 9 points and 6 assists.

Kia Nurse has 10 points off the bench for L.A., which has just 3 turnovers to Indiana’s 11. Dearica Hamby has 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

2:39 left 2Q: Sparks get the upper hand on Fever

Sparks 42, Fever 37

L.A. gets hot and is up to 6 3-pointers, extending its lead to 40-34. Indiana is 3-of-11 on 3s.

5:34 left 2Q: Fever remain sloppy, trail Sparks

Sparks 30, Fever 29

L.A. converts a turnover into a layup for a 30-29 lead. Indiana has 10 turnovers already. Indiana hasn’t scored in more than 2 minutes.

Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers and Connor McCaffery, Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend, enjoy the action.

End 1Q: Fever have turnover issues but lead

Fever 23, Sparks 19

Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark keep rolling, with 7 points each. Indiana is shooting 60% from the field with a 14-5 rebound edge, but has 8 turnovers.

Indiana gets a 4-point play: Kelsey Mitchell hits a 3 and Katie Lou Samuelson gets a free throw while being fouled as she sets a pick. Fever lead 21-12.

4:12 left 1Q: Fever, Sparks get started

Fever 13, Sparks 12

Both teams are sluggish in the opening minutes but pick up the pace. Indiana leads 11-5 before L.A. scores 6 in a row. The Fever have 4 turnovers.

Fever vs. Sparks starting lineups

Fever: Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

Sparks: Odyssey Sims, Stephanie Talbot, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens

Fever vs. Sparks injury report

Fever’s Temi Fagbenle (shoulder) is out.

When do the Indiana Fever play today?

7 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

What channel are the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks on?

TV: CBS Sports Network, WALV in Indianapolis

Streaming: Fubo (free trial)

Will the Indiana Fever make the WNBA playoffs?

The Fever are in sixth place in the 12-team league. Eight teams make the WNBA playoffs. They clinched a playoff berth on Sept. 3 when Chicago and Atlanta lost, ensuring their spot in the top eight, even if the Fever lose the rest of their games.

WNBA standings 2024

x-clinched playoff berth; through Sept. 3

Caitlin Clark stats with the Indiana Fever

Averages through Sept. 1 (33 games): 18.7 points, 8.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 34.1% 3-point shooting, 89.7% free throw shooting

Get Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever jerseys, gear

Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark jerseys, shirts, sweatshirts and hats from Fanatics can be found here.

Tickets to see Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Tickets for Fever games are available here.

2024 Indiana Fever schedule

This is the Indiana Fever 2024 schedule, with TV info; all times are ET

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: WNBA Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark vs Los Angeles Sparks score updates