Odyssey Sims made sure her return to Los Angeles was unforgettable. Just weeks after being waived by the Sparks, Sims buried a clutch 3-pointer and then scored the game-winning layup with 13.6 seconds left to push the Indiana Fever to a 76-75 victory on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The result not only gave Indiana its first win against Los Angeles this season, but also strengthened its grip on a playoff position. The Fever (21-18) sit sixth in the standings with five games remaining, lowering their magic number to three to clinch a postseason berth. The Sparks, meanwhile, fell to 17-20, a damaging loss in their own playoff chase.
Sims Delivers in the Clutch
Sims’ execution down the stretch defined the game. With the Fever trailing 74-71 inside the final minute, the veteran guard confidently rose up from beyond the arc, sinking a 3-pointer with 50.8 seconds left to tie it. On the next trip, after Azurá Stevens split a pair of free throws to give Los Angeles a one-point lead, Sims pushed the ball downhill and lofted a one-handed runner in traffic that dropped through the net.
The basket gave Indiana a 76-75 edge it would not relinquish. Los Angeles had one final chance in the closing seconds, but the Fever defense swarmed Kelsey Plum, forcing a turnover as the clock expired.
“I think I’m the human definition of ‘we stay ready, you don’t have to get ready,’” Sims said. “These are opportunities that you can’t let slip away. You never know what tomorrow brings. You be on the team one day, gone the next day. So just being able to come in and stay ready … everybody pours into each other more than I’ve ever seen on any other team I’ve ever been on. And that speaks volumes.”
Sims finished with 21 points on 10-of-20 shooting, six rebounds, and three assists, marking her second consecutive 20-point performance after scoring 22 earlier in the week against Seattle. Her late-game poise stood out against the team that let her go less than two months ago.
Boston’s Two-Way Impact
Aliyah Boston anchored Indiana throughout, stuffing the stat sheet with 22 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 11 rebounds, and a career-high six steals. The defensive performance was the best by a Fever player in nearly a decade, matching the six-steal mark last recorded by current Fever assistant Briann January in 2016.
Boston’s most critical play came with 20 seconds left when she grabbed a key offensive rebound, setting up Sims’ decisive layup. For Boston, the game was another example of the team’s resilience in tight situations.
“From the start of our season, we’ve talked about a season’s not going to be perfect and if something happens, next woman up,” Boston said. “No matter who comes in, no matter who steps up, we’re all just really happy for each other.”
She also credited her teammates and coaches for keeping her confidence high despite early missed shots. “They weren’t worried about my missed shots. It just came down to continue to play, continue to play. They believe in me so much. That helped me.”
White Praises Defensive Grit
Head coach Stephanie White acknowledged the Fever didn’t always play clean basketball — they committed 15 turnovers and endured stretches of offensive drought — but she praised their determination to finish strong.
“I’m incredibly proud of the defensive effort,” White said. “To hold Jackson and Plum scoreless in a half is huge for this group. It wasn’t ideal — it was ugly at times — but we dug in. When you think about key defensive stops, key offensive rebounds like AB’s at the end, it was gut-check time and our team stepped up to the challenge.”
White emphasized the selflessness of the roster, noting that contributions have come from all corners despite injuries. “The selfless nature of this group just can’t be overstated,” she said. “That’s why we’re able to be in positions like this.”
Powers Emerging on the Wing
While Sims and Boston led the way, Aerial Powers made her presence felt off the bench. Signed to a hardship contract less than a week ago, the versatile wing logged 15 minutes, scoring nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbing six rebounds.
Her emergence has been especially important with Sophie Cunningham sidelined for the season and Chloe Bibby working her way back from a knee injury. Powers has quickly climbed into the rotation, showing her ability to spell Lexie Hull at small forward and provide toughness on both ends.
“She’s fully healthy and has given us a spark,” White said pregame. “Her ability to defend multiple positions and play within our system has been valuable right away.
Looking Ahead
The Fever’s victory over Los Angeles was about more than standings — it was about sending a message. For a team that had dropped all three previous meetings to the Sparks, Friday’s outcome was a psychological boost and a practical one, giving Indiana a crucial head-to-head win as the playoff race tightens.
Indiana now turns its attention to the remainder of its road trip. The Fever face Golden State on Sunday before traveling to Phoenix on Tuesday. They return home to Gainbridge Fieldhouse next Friday to host the Chicago Sky, with the chance to inch even closer to their first playoff berth since 2016.
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