Will Indiana Bounce Back Against Minnesota? Indiana Fever vs Minnesota Lynx Preview | September 23, 2026
Indiana Fever
Minnesota Lynx
Indiana Fever will host Minnesota Lynx at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 23 in one of the final games of the WNBA regular season. The teams will meet twice in the closing stretch, with the return game scheduled in Minnesota a few days later. Both sides have already secured playoff places, but their final positions remain undecided.
Match Preview
Indiana Fever enter the game after a 77–93 home loss to Washington Mystics, which ended their three-game winning streak. Caitlin Clark led Indiana with 25 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Kelsey Mitchell added 22 points.
Fever currently sit second in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall with a 27–15 record. Their final two regular-season games remain important as Indiana continues to compete for its position ahead of the playoffs.
Home form has been one of Indiana's strengths. Fever have won 14 of 21 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and have taken six of their last eight home games. Their recent home record against Minnesota is also balanced, with three wins apiece in the last six meetings, although Indiana won the most recent matchup on its own court.
Minnesota Lynx arrive after ending a three-game losing streak with a 100–89 away victory over Connecticut Sun. Napheesa Collier led the team with 23 points and six rebounds, Olivia Miles scored 21 points, while Natasha Howard recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Lynx remain first in the Western Conference and lead the overall standings with a 32–10 record. Their position at the top is not yet secured, with Golden State Valkyries still in contention. Minnesota have been particularly effective away from home, losing only three of their 21 road games. The Lynx have also won nine of their last 10 road games overall.
Their season numbers underline the team's efficiency: Minnesota average 91.3 points per game, shoot 48.0% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range. They also rank among the league leaders in assists with 21.7 per game and have a 9.0 net rating.
Indiana have been even more productive offensively, averaging 96.7 points per game and leading the league with a 49.1% field-goal percentage and 39.4% from three-point range. Fever also have the league's highest offensive rating at 115.8.
Individually, Kelsey Mitchell leads Indiana with 25.1 points per game, while Caitlin Clark averages 8.4 assists. Aliyah Boston is the team's top rebounder at 8.1 per game. For Minnesota, Olivia Miles averages 19.4 points and 5.8 assists, while Natasha Howard leads the team with 7.6 rebounds per game.
The recent head-to-head record gives Minnesota an advantage, with Lynx winning three of the last four meetings. However, Indiana's home form and the balanced record in recent games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse suggest that the matchup could be much closer than the overall standings indicate.
Key Trends
- Minnesota have lost only 3 of 21 road games.
- Fever have won 6 of their last 8 home games.
- Lynx have won 9 of their last 10 road games.
- Minnesota have won 3 of the last 4 head-to-head meetings.
Prediction
This matchup brings together two teams with strong but different profiles. Indiana have been the league's most productive offensive team and have shown considerable strength at home, while Minnesota combine strong shooting numbers with one of the league's best overall defensive profiles and an excellent road record. The Fever will also be looking to respond after their loss to Washington, while the Lynx have already returned to winning ways against Connecticut. With both teams still fighting for their final playoff positions, the second meeting between them only a few days later adds another layer to the closing stretch of the regular season. Indiana's home advantage should make this a competitive contest, but Minnesota's consistency away from home, recent head-to-head success give the Lynx a strong statistical foundation heading into the matchup. Recommended Bet: Minnesota Lynx Phoenix to Win
