Valks did it again! Defying every expectation as an expansion team with no marquee stars and a roster full of self-described “sixth women,” Golden State just took down another championship contender. First it was the Las Vegas Aces. Now it’s Caitlin Clark and the Fever. Indiana might’ve come in with all the momentum – and on paper, the advantage – but Golden State doesn’t care. When they’re on their home floor, they never back down.
That fearless energy has been their thing all season. They didn’t care that the Sparks have the legacy and flash; they beat them twice on their own turf. They didn’t blink when it came to facing the Aces and MVP A’ja Wilson – they blew them out by 27 on national TV. So what if Indiana had back-to-back No. 1 picks? Valks weren’t fazed one bit.
After a gritty win over the Sun, the Fever came in hot. They opened the game on fire, closing the first quarter with a 21-12 lead. They kept their foot on the gas through the second, heading into halftime up by six. When they kicked off the third quarter with a 10-3 run, it looked like they were about to put this one away. Up by 13 with five minutes left in the third, fans were feeling good.
But that’s when it all unraveled. The Valkyries turned up the heat, feasting on Indiana’s turnovers and slicing the lead down to just four by the start of the fourth. Then, it was total takeover. Golden State exploded for 33 points in the final quarter, while the Fever could barely keep up. Final score was 88-77 – another statement win for the expansion squad.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 24: Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever walks on the court during a break in the fourth quarter of a game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Fever 101-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Kayla Thornton led GSV with 16 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of play. Tiffany Hayes, playing her first home game since her return from injury, produced 14 points and five assists in 32 minutes off the bench. While Golden State’s bench outscored Indiana’s 45-17, the Fever’s stars had an off night too. CC ended with 11 points on a rough 3-of-14 shooting night and went 0-of-7 from deep. Sure, she added nine assists and seven boards but those six turnovers hurt bad.
The only real bright spot wasAliyah Boston. She battled through it all – foul trouble, missed calls, and all – to notch a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. And Fever fans noticed. While Clark struggled, the online chatter was full of support for Boston, who fans felt got the short end of the whistle all night.
The Aliyah Boston effect fans won’t let go unnoticed
One fan even put it plain and simple, “Aliyah Boston is the only Fever player acting like she wants to be there. Low energy, no hype, just turnovers and sad vibes.” Sure, the Fever were up at halftime, and Clark had her moments with six assists and some gritty rebounds despite scoring just two points early on. But the vibes were off and fans feel no one showed up else AB. Low energy, no hustle, and the turnovers were again an issue. Indiana coughed up the ball seventeen times. Six of those were just from Clark. Compare that to the Valkyries’ seven.
And this isn’t new. Indy’s been averaging 13.1 turnovers per game, which lands them in the bottom half of the league. Add to that their 27.6% shooting from deep and you’ve got a team far from the fast-paced, fire-powered squad they promised fans at the start. But you know what fans are even more fed up with? The officiating, especially when it comes to Boston. One comment straight-up said, “the refs hate Aliyah Boston. and I’m tired of it.” That’s been echoing louder and louder. In this game, Boston had to sit midway through the fourth after picking up her fifth foul.
Well, it’s not the first time. Go all the way back to the opener against Chicago…Clark gets hit with a flagrant 1 for a hard foul on Angel Reese, things get heated, Boston steps in to cool things down… and she ends up with a technical. Then in the rematch, both Clark and Boston got into foul trouble again. Four each. Fans started calling out the refs for what they’re now dubbing a “No Stars Allowed” policy. Even broadcasters couldn’t back the calls. Against Connecticut, same story. Boston picked up a soft fifth foul late in a close one, and the Fever had to burn a challenge just to clean up the mess. It was overturned, sure, but the damage was already done. No wonder fans are starting to believe the stripes have it out for her.
the refs hate Aliyah Boston. and im tired of it.
— joyboy. (@BigSto) June 20, 2025
A lot of those same fans are also saying what others haven’t dared to. One comment didn’t hold back, “This is Aliyah Boston’s team.” Fever coach Stephanie White herself said it – Boston is their “hub.” Everything flows through her. “Right now, we want to use AB as a hub,” White explained, pointing out that the team’s entire offensive system revolves around her decision-making. Not anyone else. And why not? She’s been evolving as a playmaker and has barely scratched the surface. After spending two years mostly being used in the post, she’s stepping out and stepping up. When others fall flat, she shows up.
Defensively? she’s been a wall. Actually, forget wall – how about “Aliyah Blockston?” Because that’s what another fan called her. Drafted first overall in 2023, Boston’s résumé speaks for itself, but her shot-blocking has become her signature. In this game alone, she racked up three huge blocks. She is right now fifth on the Fever’s all-time blocks list, surpassing Jessica Davenport. Sitting now at 116, she’s just one swat away from passing Teaira McCowan for fourth. So “Blockston” it is, and the crown fits.
And then there was that one sweet comment – no stats, no critiques – just: “aliyah boston. ” Because despite all of Boston’s heart, hustle, and heroics, the Fever just couldn’t hold on. But if there’s one thing fans are making crystal clear – it’s that they ride for AB, and they see her.
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