After winning three straight games without Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever came back down to Earth.
On Saturday night, Boston and the Fever suffered their ninth loss of the season, falling to Rickea Jackson and the Los Angeles Sparks, 89-87, in front of their home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The game swung when Jackson hit a short jumper to give the Sparks an 88-87 lead. No additional points were scored until three seconds remained, when Los Angeles' Azurá Stevens hit 1-of-2 free throws to make it 89-87.
With three seconds left and possession, Boston received the ball at the top of the arc on what appeared to be a set play drawn up by coach Stephanie White. She took one dribble forward and pulled up for a midrange jumper at the buzzer, but the shot clanged off the front of the rim, sealing the loss.
The final shot, a free-throw line jumper from Aliyah Boston, falls short.
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 6, 2025
Fever lose, 89-87, and break a three-game win streak. They’re 9-9. pic.twitter.com/zwimzxiJM6
After the loss, White joined the media for a postgame press conference. When discussing Boston's final shot, White claimed the former South Carolina forward had a "good look," but it just didn't fall her way.
"Sometimes when teams play with that physicality and play with that length, it causes you to rush a little bit," White said. "AB had a really good look at the end… And sometimes it doesn't just fall your way."
Stephanie White on Indiana's last possession
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) July 6, 2025
"Sometimes when teams play with that physicality and play with that length it causes s you to rush a little bit...AB had a really good look at the end…and sometimes it doesn't just fall your way."
Boston finished the night with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, 12 rebounds and four assists. Natasha Howard added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Fever. But it was not enough to get past the 74 combined points between Jackson, Stevens, Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby.
Up next for the Fever, the third of a five-game home stand on Wednesday, hosting Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!