Defensive improvement has contributed to the Indiana Fever’s current stretch of success.

Aiming for a third straight win, the Fever look to continue that stinginess in Indianapolis on Wednesday night against the Connecticut Sun, one of WNBA’s lowest-scoring teams.

Indiana (16-10) averages a league-high 94.4 points, but ranks near the bottom defensively, giving up 89.7 per contest. However, amid a 6-2 stretch, the Fever have held six opponents to 89 or fewer points.

On Saturday, they outscored the visiting New York Liberty 30-12 during the third quarter, paving the way for a 108-88 victory.

“We know we can score, but for us to accomplish what we want to accomplish, we’ve got to get better on the defensive end,” Indiana coach Stephanie White said.

The Fever held Connecticut (7-19) to nine second-quarter points and 5-of-17 shooting from 3-point range during their 85-75 road win June 13.

Caitlin Clark had 25 points, just above her average of 20.7 per game. The Indiana superstar has been on a minutes restriction over the last four games while dealing with a lingering back issue. With one game left before the All-Star break, she could receive another night of rest.

Star teammate Kelsey Mitchell (23.3 points) looks to record at least 20 points in an 11th straight contest. After scoring 30 in Indiana’s 110-107 win over Seattle on Friday, Mitchell dropped 33 on 10-of-14 shooting against the Liberty.

“She’s just a ballplayer,” White said. “She just wants to play.”

Mitchell scored 19 last month against the Sun, who will try to snap a four-game series losing streak to the Fever.

Though Connecticut is next-to-last in the league standings, while scoring 79.7 points per game, the team is 5-4 since losing seven in a row from June 2-19.

“Be mentally ready,” Sun coach Rachid Meziane said. “We have to be ready to respond by showing character.”

The Sun’s attempt at a third straight victory ended with a 72-63 loss at Phoenix on Sunday. They shot 37.9% overall, finished 4 of 14 from 3-point range and committed 21 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Mercury.

Connecticut center Olivia Nelson-Ododa tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds Sunday. She has averaged 11.7 points in her last 10 games, and posted 12 with seven boards against Indiana in June.

–Field Level Media

Georgia running back Dante Dowdell was admitted to an Atlanta hospital with serious injuries following an all-terrain vehicle accident, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Bulldogs head football coach Kirby Smart confirmed to ESPN that Dowdell was injured in the accident near his home in Mississippi.

Dowdell was set to join his fourth program in four seasons after he played as a freshman at Oregon before transfers to Nebraska for the 2024 season and Kentucky last season.

In 30 college games over three seasons, Dowdell has rushed for 1,264 yards on 272 carries with 16 touchdowns. His best season came with Nebraska when he ran for 614 yards on 143 carries with 12 TDs.

Smart said there is no timetable for a potential return, and no certainty that Dowdell will be able to recover in time to play this season.

–Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics have something in common as they prepare for Wednesday night’s meeting in Washington.

Both teams are coming off high-scoring outings in victories Monday night.

Las Vegas scored 60 first-half points on the way to a 109-83 road victory in Toronto. A’ja Wilson finished with 26 points to lead the Aces in scoring for the fourth consecutive game and put her league-leading scoring average at 25.6 points per game.

The Aces (18-7) have won three of their last four games.

“We just want to continue to gain momentum,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “We’re still in the process of trying to get better. We’re not a championship product yet.”

Washington secured a 90-82 triumph at Golden State to match its highest scoring game that did not go into overtime. The Mystics finished off the victory with 36 fourth-quarter points.

The Mystics (13-12) are scoring a league-low 79.6 points per game, although an 18-3 run late in Monday’s game gave them a much-needed boost.

“This team is sizing up to be one of the mentally toughest teams I’ve ever coached,” Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said. “It’s inspiring. There’s a togetherness and toughness that we’re rooted in.”

Kiki Iriafen poured in 23 points on Monday after managing a combined eight points in her previous two games. She has reached at least 23 points in three of her last eight games.

Keeping the Aces under control will be vital for the Mystics. Las Vegas is third in the WNBA in scoring at 90.7 points per game.

“We’re fortunate to have the third-best defense in the league,” Johnson said.

Las Vegas connected on 14 shots from 3-point range Monday, while Wilson was 3-of-3 from long range.

“Even for (Wilson), it makes her off the dribble even more dangerous,” Hammon said of the ability for her star player to stretch out defenses.

Sonia Citron is Washington’s top scorer at 17.0 points per outing — a number she matched against Golden State.

The Mystics are 3-3 in home games across the past month.

This will mark the first meeting of the season between the teams, who will face each other three times across a stretch of about three weeks.

–Field Level Media