The Indiana Fever survived a late-game meltdown to secure a nail-biting 92-89 victory over the Seattle Storm on Sunday night, with Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston delivering clutch performances to rescue head coach Stephanie White from a potentially disastrous collapse.

The Fever, leading by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, nearly squandered their advantage as the Storm stormed back to tie the game with 1:12 remaining. However, Cunningham’s late-game heroics and Boston’s defensive prowess sealed the win, keeping Indiana’s playoff hopes alive and silencing critics of White’s coaching decisions.

The game was a tale of two halves for the Fever, who dominated early with a balanced attack and stifling defense. Cunningham, the 26-year-old guard acquired in an offseason trade, set the tone with 14 first-quarter points, including three three-pointers.

Boston, the 22-year-old rookie sensation, controlled the paint with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the first half. Indiana’s offense clicked seamlessly, moving the ball with precision and exploiting mismatches to build a 54-36 halftime lead. “We came out with fire,” Boston said. “But we knew Seattle would fight back.”

The Storm, led by Jewell Loyd and Sue Bird, mounted a furious comeback in the third quarter. Loyd, who finished with 28 points, scored 12 of her points in the frame, while Bird orchestrated Seattle’s offense with 8 assists.

The Storm’s defense tightened, forcing 7 Indiana turnovers and holding the Fever to just 34% shooting after halftime. By the end of the third quarter, the Fever’s lead had dwindled to 68-63, and the Storm carried momentum into the final period.

The fourth quarter became a war of attrition, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away. With 4:32 remaining, Seattle’s Gabby Williams hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 82-82, sending the Roadheader crowd into a frenzy.

Indiana responded with a Cunningham drive and kick to Boston for a corner three, but the Storm answered with a Layshia Clarendon floater to retie the game at 87-87 with 1:12 left.

The game’s decisive moment came on Indiana’s ensuing possession. With the shot clock winding down, Cunningham isolated on the left wing, sidestepping a screen to hit a contested mid-range jumper over Williams. The bucket gave the Fever an 89-87 lead and forced the Storm to call their final timeout.

On Seattle’s last possession, Boston anchored Indiana’s defense, forcing Clarendon into a difficult fadeaway that clanked off the rim. Cunningham secured the rebound and was fouled, hitting both free throws to seal the 92-89 win.

“I told Sophie to go make a play, and she did what she does,” White said. “Aliyah’s presence down the stretch was huge, too. She’s a gamer.” Cunningham finished with 31 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Boston added 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Their performances were a direct response to recent criticism of Indiana’s late-game execution, including a heartbreaking 83-80 loss to the Dallas Wings just five days prior.

The victory is a crucial rebound for White, whose coaching strategies have faced scrutiny amid the Fever’s inconsistency this season. Indiana improved to 14-16, keeping them in the playoff picture with six games remaining. “This is the kind of win that builds confidence,” White said. “We’ve been in tight games all year, and tonight we found a way.”

For Cunningham, the game was a statement after a sluggish start to the season. The former Phoenix Mercury star has battled injuries and shooting slumps but has found her rhythm of late, averaging 22.5 points over her last five games. “I’m feeling free again,” she said. “My teammates trust me, and that’s the difference.”

Boston, meanwhile, continues to build a Rookie of the Year résumé that’s becoming impossible to ignore. Her ability to impact the game on both ends—scoring efficiently, rebounding relentlessly, and protecting the rim—has made her the anchor of Indiana’s defense. “She’s a beast,” Loyd said. “You can’t simulate her energy.”

The Storm, now 11-19, saw their playoff hopes take another hit. Despite Loyd’s valiant effort and a vintage performance from Bird (14 points, 9 assists), Seattle couldn’t overcome its early deficit. “We fought, but it’s frustrating to come up short again,” Bird said. “We’re running out of time.”

The game also had broader implications for the WNBA’s playoff race. With the win, the Fever moved past the New York Liberty for the eighth and final playoff spot, though the Liberty hold a tiebreaker due to head-to-head results.

Indiana’s remaining schedule includes matchups against the Connecticut Sun, Las Vegas Aces, and Chicago Sky—three teams jockeying for positioning. “Every game is a playoff game from here,” Boston said.

Social media reactions were a mix of relief and celebration for Fever fans, with the hashtag #FeverRising trending in Indiana. Cunningham’s game-winning jumper and Boston’s defensive stop were replayed endlessly, as were clips of White’s animated sideline reactions.

Critics of the team’s late-game struggles praised the resilience shown, though some questioned why the Fever allowed such a large lead to slip. “They need to close better,” said ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike. “But surviving is the first step.”

The victory also underscored the growing partnership between Cunningham and Boston. Their ability to coexist as scorers and leaders has been a focal point of Indiana’s recent success. “We’re learning each other’s rhythms,” Cunningham said. “It’s only going to get better.”

As the Fever prepare for a critical road trip next week, they do so with renewed confidence. After months of inconsistency and external doubt, Sunday’s win proved they can deliver under pressure—a crucial trait for a team on the playoff bubble. “This is the start of something,” White said. “But we’re not done yet.”

For now, Indiana can breathe easy. What could have been a demoralizing collapse instead became a statement win, fueled by the clutch performances of its two stars. As the season enters its final stretch, the Fever are proving they belong in the conversation—and that Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston are ready to carry them there.