I Went Back to the WNBA… This Time Was VERY Different | Riley’s Vlog
Riley Gaines and Louis Barker recap their courtside experience at the Indiana Fever game, from Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell’s standout performance to the very different atmosphere compared with Riley’s previous WNBA trip in Minneapolis. Riley also responds to the public conversation surrounding Simone Biles, Sophie Cunningham, Michael Buckley, and the ongoing debate over protecting women’s sports. She explains why she still wants to reach out to Simone, why Sophie Cunningham’s stance matters, and what the WNBA’s handling of these cultural flashpoints reveals about the league’s balancing act. Plus: Riley and Louis talk travel with an 11-month-old, seeing Brittney Griner in person, the power of sports to bridge political divides, and why Friday’s episode will be an Ask Me Anything. New episodes of The Riley Gaines Show every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m. ET.
Kelsey Mitchell’s 33-point performance Friday night added another chapter to her record-setting season. The Indiana Fever guard became the WNBA’s single-season scoring leader in a 103-85 victory over the Toronto Tempo.
Mitchell now has 1,034 points this season. A’ja Wilson, the reigning back-to-back WNBA MVP, set the previous mark in 2024, when she scored 1,021 points for the Las Vegas Aces.
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Mitchell’s teammate, Caitlin Clark, added 28 points Friday and matched her season high with 14 assists as Indiana earned its eighth win in 10 games. Mitchell also scored at least 20 points for the 25th consecutive game, extending her WNBA record. She shot 12 for 17 and went 7 for 11 from 3-point range.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) speaks to the media after a game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Sept. 18, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)
Clark went 2 for 8 from distance for her 14th double-double in her first game since helping the U.S. win the women’s FIBA World Cup in Germany. She made 12 free throws without a miss.
Clark also had 14 assists in a home win over Toronto on June 16.
The game was the first for both teams following a nearly three-week World Cup break.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) handles the ball during a game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Sept. 18, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)
Toronto’s Laura Juskaite scored 22 points and Kiki Rice had 18. Isabelle Harrison and Temi Fagbenle each scored 16 points, but the Tempo lost their fifth straight.
Toronto started its inaugural season 9-9 but has gone 2-21 since.
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The Tempo were without veteran guard Marina Mabrey. On Wednesday, the team said Mabrey will miss the final four games of the season because of a right adductor injury. Mabrey hasn’t played since a home loss to Indiana on Aug. 18.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) drives to the basket against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Sept. 18, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Fever return home next, hosting the Washington Mystics on Sunday. The Tempo will face the New York Liberty in their next game.
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Toronto has already been eliminated from postseason contention, while Indiana has clinched a playoff spot and, after Friday’s win, moved into a tie with the Atlanta Dream for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
