“We Will Never Be Counted Out”: Indiana Fever Pull Off Biggest Comeback in Team History

The Indiana Fever’s season has been defined by adversity — but Sunday’s 99-93 overtime win against the Connecticut Sun proved, once again, that this team refuses to fold. Overcoming injuries, a sluggish start, and a 21-point deficit, the Fever delivered the largest comeback in franchise history, fueled by grit, belief, and a career night from Kelsey Mitchell.

A Game of Highs and Lows

The afternoon started in heartbreaking fashion. Early in the second quarter, guard Sophie Cunningham went down screaming after Sun guard Bria Hartley collided with her knee. Cunningham never returned, and the silence inside Mohegan Sun Arena reflected the unspoken fear of a serious injury, possibly an ACL tear.

“It’s déjà vu, man,” Mitchell said, referencing the string of injuries that have already sidelined Caitlin Clark, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald this season. For a team already short-handed, Cunningham’s exit could have been the breaking point.

Instead, it became the rallying cry.

The Impossible Comeback

By halftime, Indiana had more turnovers (8) than made field goals (5) and trailed by double digits. They were still down 15 entering the fourth quarter and by 14 with just 6:25 left in regulation.

But the Fever found life. Mitchell caught fire, Lexie Hull buried critical three-pointers, and Aliyah Boston anchored the defense. The team ripped off a 13-2 run late in the fourth to cut the deficit to three, forcing overtime in a game that had once seemed lost.

Coach Stephanie White’s words after the final buzzer captured the spirit of the moment:

“I’m so proud of you. It sounds weird when we talk about resiliency, but it’s not. That’s how we live. It’s how y’all live. It’s a tribute to your toughness, your mindset, your never-give-up gritty attitudes. We will never be counted out.”

Mitchell’s Heroics

Mitchell, who scored just four points in the first half, exploded for 24 in the second and finished with 38 total — matching her career-high. She hit clutch shots throughout the rally, including a deep three-pointer to spark the comeback, a late three-point play to force overtime, and two jaw-dropping baskets in the extra frame: a contested triple at the shot-clock buzzer and a step-back jumper that sealed the win.

“She put us on her back, made big shot after big shot, big play after big play,” White said. “She stayed aggressive and willed us to victory. I’m speechless.”

Team Effort Across the Board

Mitchell wasn’t alone in the fight. Odyssey Sims, signed on a hardship contract, played nearly the entire game and poured in 19 points with seven assists. Brianna Turner provided defensive stops in overtime, while Natasha Howard added 18 points and nine rebounds. Boston contributed a double-double with 14 points, 13 boards, five assists, and two blocks, proving why she remains the cornerstone of Indiana’s frontcourt.

And Hull’s late three-pointer in overtime served as the dagger, sending the Fever bench into celebration.

Resiliency Defines the Fever

This season has tested Indiana at every turn — from Clark’s groin injury to multiple season-ending losses in the backcourt. Yet time and again, they’ve responded with resilience, never letting injuries or deficits erase their fight.

Aliyah Boston summed it up best:
“Even through adversity, we’re able to see God’s blessing over us. We were down 21 and came back. What stands out is everyone coming in and affecting the game the way they did.”

For White, the resilience goes deeper than basketball.
“It’s going to be hard to talk about this team without getting emotional,” she said. “They’re good human beings. They give and give and give to this team. And I’m just so incredibly proud of them.”

Conclusion

The Fever’s stunning comeback against the Sun was more than a win. It was a statement — that no matter the score, the injuries, or the challenges, this team refuses to be written off. With Kelsey Mitchell leading the way and the entire roster rallying together, Indiana reminded the league that, in their coach’s words:

“We will never be counted out.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E5Rw89keTg&t=3s