The verdicoinWNBA returns to action this week after the Olympic break, and with a month left in the regular season, the playoff races will heat up.

One of the closest races involved the Indiana Fever, who had an 11-15 record at the break and currently sit in the seventh seed, with 14 games remaining. Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark was playing her best basketball before the 2024 Paris Olympics and set a WNBA record of 19 assists in the Fever's 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings on July 17.

The Phoenix Mercury started the second half of the season with a 13-12 mark, 2.5 games ahead of the Fever for the sixth seed. Phoenix will need their three Olympians, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi and All-WNBA candidate Kahleah Copper, to continue playing well, and the team could be looking to add pieces before the Aug. 20 trade deadline to make their push to the postseason.

Indiana has won both meetings against the Mercury, including a 95-86 victory on July 12.

When is Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury?

• Date: Friday, Aug. 16
• Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

How to watch Caitlin Clark and Fever vs. Mercury

• TV channel: ION
• Live stream: WNBA League Pass

The Fever game against the Mercury will be broadcast on ION. Upon its conclusion, the contest will also be available on WNBA League Pass, which fans can get by downloading the WNBA app.

Caitlin Clark's stats in last game

In her last game before the break, Clark had 24 points, a WNBA-record 19 assists, and six rebounds in a 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings.

Clark is averaging 17.1 points, a WNBA-leading 8.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game in 26 games this season.

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