Following the Indiana Fever’s (23-20) blowout 94-65 win over the Washington Mystics (16-27) on Sunday from CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, forward Aliyah Boston praised the team’s collective unity and resiliency throughout their injury-riddled 2025 campaign as a major factor towards their ability to clinch a spot in the WNBA Playoffs.
Despite entering Sunday’s matchup with the Mystics having dealt with a handful of season-ending injuries to stars such as Sophie Cunningham (torn MCL), Sydney Colson (torn ACL), Aari McDonald (broken bone in foot), Chloe Bibby (knee inflammation/discomfort), and Caitlin Clark (right groin), the team was still able to scratch and claw their way to a second-consecutive playoff qualification.
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“Yeah, I think, you know, just being someone in this locker room, you never doubt yourself and what you’re capable of, no matter what happens. I think the entire staff, up to the head, just made great decisions when people went down on who to bring in, the type of people to bring in, and that was really our mindset,” Boston said.
“We never doubted ourselves; we never doubted that we could be in the playoffs. Even if things looked like it got harder, for us it was about sticking together, and I think through everything you’re able to see us playing with joy, us playing together, regardless of who’s on that floor.”
While Indiana’s four other season-ending injuries also contributed significantly to this notion, Clark’s 13 games played this year, due to her four separate injury absences across different setbacks, forced the team to change their playing style into one that involves more collective effort, rather than simply relying on their top stars to generate success.
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When I asked about the team’s celebration in the locker room following Sunday’s win, Boston humorously admitted that they had made a TikTok before explaining that the group had fun celebrating the news, but is still locked in on achieving their broader goals down the road.
“I think everyone is just super excited. Like you said, it hasn’t been a perfect road. And so for us, it’s enjoying the little moments while at the same time understanding we have another game on Tuesday, and then we have to prepare for the playoffs. But I think just being in the moment and being where our feet are and kind of just enjoying this one.”
Sunday’s victory also set a new franchise high for total wins in a season, surpassing the 22-win Fever teams in both the 2009 and 2012 campaigns, which both eventually went on to make WNBA Finals appearances.
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Even as the Fever clinched playoffs, Indiana’s final game of the regular season still holds importance as the team can possibly earn as high as the No. 6 seed with a win and help from other teams.
Their final regular-season game will be on Tuesday night from Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (33-9) at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Aliyah Boston praises Fever resiliency after clinching WNBA Playoffs
