Introduction

Some nights, a basketball game becomes a footnote. Other nights, it becomes a chapter in the history books.

September 18, 2026, at Coca-Cola Coliseum was the latter. Kelsey Mitchell poured in 33 points to claim the WNBA single-season scoring crown, and the Indiana Fever rolled past the Toronto Tempo 103-85.

Caitlin Clark stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points and 14 assists. Toronto kept it close for three quarters. Then Indiana slammed the door.

Here’s everything you need to know about this Fever vs Tempo clash — the box score, the player stats, and the moments that mattered.

Quick Answer: The Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo 103-85 on September 18, 2026, at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 33 points, breaking the WNBA single-season scoring record. 

Final Score of Fever vs Tempo?

The Indiana Fever won 103-85.

Indiana came out swinging, taking a 25-19 lead after the opening frame. Toronto clawed back to make it 53-50 at the break. The Tempo even grabbed a brief 57-55 advantage early in the third.

Then the Fever flipped the switch.

Indiana outscored Toronto 26-23 in the third quarter and dominated the fourth. A Mitchell jumper from 22 feet with 3:22 left put the game on ice.

Game-deciding numbers:

Toronto actually won the rebounding battle 38-35. But 11 missed free throws and 15 turnovers erased any chance of an upset.

Key Takeaway:

• Indiana’s shooting efficiency (50.7% FG) overwhelmed Toronto
• The Tempo left 11 points at the free-throw line
• Indiana controlled the game’s tempo from the second quarter forward

The Fever’s precision shooting and Toronto’s charity-stripe struggles sealed this outcome.

How Did Kelsey Mitchell Make History?

Kelsey Mitchell set the WNBA single-season scoring record with 1,034 points.

Mitchell entered the night needing 21 points to pass A’ja Wilson’s 1,021-point mark from 2024. She reached the milestone in the third quarter with a three-pointer that brought the crowd to its feet.

Her final stat line: 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. That’s 63.6% from three-point land.

This wasn’t a fluke performance. Mitchell has been scorching all season. Her 29.5 points per game average leads the league, and she’s shot 43.7% from downtown across 35 games.

Mitchell vs. Wilson — The Record Books:

Key Takeaway:

• Mitchell passed Wilson’s record with a third-quarter three
• She shot an incredible 63.6% from three-point range in this game
• The record came with three games still remaining in the season

Mitchell didn’t just break the record — she rewrote it with room to spare.

What Did Caitlin Clark Do Against Toronto?

Caitlin Clark recorded 28 points, 14 assists, and 6 rebounds.

Clark shot 7-of-15 from the floor and a flawless 12-of-12 from the free-throw line. She logged 34 minutes in her first game back since helping Team USA win the FIBA World Cup in Germany.

No rust. No adjustment period. Just pure dominance.

Her 14 assists matched her season high, tying her performance against Toronto back on June 16. The Clark-Mitchell backcourt has become the most feared guard duo in the WNBA.

Clark’s complete game:

Key Takeaway:

• She was perfect from the charity stripe (12-for-12)
• Her 14 assists created easy looks all night

Clark played the role of facilitator and scorer with equal mastery.

Who Stepped Up for the Short-Handed Tempo?

Laura Juskaite led Toronto with 22 points, while rookie Kiki Rice added 18.

The Tempo were missing their top two offensive weapons. Brittney Sykes (left foot) and Marina Mabrey (right adductor) both sat out.

Juskaite, a 28-year-old rookie from Lithuania, seized the opportunity. She shot efficiently and kept Toronto competitive through three quarters.

Kiki Rice, the Tempo’s first-round pick (6th overall), continued her promising rookie campaign. Her 18 points came on 7-of-13 shooting.

Key Takeaway:

• Juskaite and Rice combined for 40 points in their absence
• The Tempo outscored Indiana in the paint (44-40)

Toronto’s young core showed heart, but the talent gap was too wide.

What Does This Win Mean for Indiana’s Playoff Positioning?

Indiana entered the game holding the No. 5 seed and moved into a tie with Atlanta for the No. 4 spot.

The victory matters for more than just the record. It showed Indiana can handle business against inferior teams — something championship contenders must do.

Indiana’s recent form:

• 8-2 in their last 10 games
• 3-game winning streak
• Mitchell averaging 29+ points during this stretch

Aliyah Boston had a quiet night with just 8 points, well below her 16.9 season average. The fact that Indiana won by 18 with Boston struggling speaks to their depth.

With four games left in the regular season, the Fever control their own destiny.

Key Takeaway:

• Indiana moved into a tie for the No. 4 seed
• The win was their 8th in 10 games
• Boston’s off-night didn’t slow the offense

Indiana is peaking at exactly the right time.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Indiana hosts Washington on Sunday, while Toronto’s nightmare season winds down.

The Fever return home to face the Mystics, looking to extend their winning streak and lock in playoff positioning.

For Toronto, this was their fifth straight loss and 17th in their last 18 games.

The Tempo close their inaugural season with games against Washington and Connecticut. It’s been a brutal stretch, but the foundation for the future is there.

Toronto’s inaugural season by the numbers:

The Tempo announced Wednesday that Mabrey will miss the final four games of the season because of a right adductor injury.

Key Takeaway:

• Indiana controls its playoff destiny with four games remaining
• Toronto will finish its first season without Mabrey
• The Tempo’s defense has been historically bad

Toronto’s season is effectively over. Indiana’s is just getting started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What was the final score of Fever vs Tempo on September 18, 2026?

Answer: The Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo 103-85 at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Indiana led 25-19 after the first quarter and never trailed in the final period.

Question: How many points did Kelsey Mitchell score?

Answer: Kelsey Mitchell scored 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including 7-of-11 from three-point range. 

Question: Did Caitlin Clark play in this game?

Answer: Yes. Clark returned from the FIBA World Cup to post 28 points, 14 assists, and 6 rebounds. She shot a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line.

Question: Who led the Toronto Tempo in scoring?

Answer: Laura Juskaite led Toronto with 22 points, followed by rookie Kiki Rice with 18. The Tempo were without top scorers Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes.

Question: What does this win mean for the Fever’s playoff chances?

Answer: The win improved Indiana to 27-14 and moved them into a tie for the No. 4 seed. With four games remaining, the Fever control their playoff destiny.

Conclusion

This game was a perfect snapshot of where these two franchises stand.

Indiana has two of the most explosive guards in the WNBA. Kelsey Mitchell just etched her name into the record books. Caitlin Clark is playing like the best facilitator in the league. When both are clicking, the Fever can beat anyone.

Toronto, meanwhile, is learning hard lessons in year one. The Tempo played without their best players. Their defense ranks last in the league. And they’ve lost 21 of 23 games.

But expansion seasons are about growth, not wins. Kiki Rice looks like a building block. Laura Juskaite showed she belongs. The infrastructure — Coca-Cola Coliseum, the TSN broadcast deal, the passionate Toronto fanbase — is all there.

References

1. IndyStar. “Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell roll as Indiana Fever beat Toronto Tempo.” September 18, 2026.
2. Basketball-Reference.com. “2026 Toronto Tempo Stats.” Accessed 2026.
3. StatMuse. “Indiana Fever Scoring Leader Total Points.” Accessed 2026.

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