The Indiana Fever headed to Canada with an aim to secure a fifth straight win for the second time this season, and finally allow basketball to be at the center of the discussions around the team. If their previous game, which averaged 2.6 million viewers on ESPN and peaked at a whopping 4 million, was any indication, this one was also going to be eventful.

Basketball did remain at the forefront, but things that began south of Toronto were very much in focus at Scotiabank Arena. So, if you missed the action, here are some of the biggest moments from the game.

Sophie Cunningham gets contrasting treatment in Canada

Sophie Cunningham (30) had said that she wanted to “keep the main thing the main thing” nearly two weeks ago. That is far from happening, with most of the attention around her stemming from her comments on trans athletes in women’s sports. It was the case both inside and outside Scotiabank Arena, nearly 500 miles away from home.

Ahead of her first basketball appearance in Canada, she had a surprise waiting for her. As Fox News journalist Jackson Thompson reported, Team Canada gold medalist April Hutchinson led the first Sophie Cunningham rally outside the United States on Tuesday ahead of the Fever’s game in Toronto.

The support was overwhelming, but Cunningham may not have known about the powerlifter’s actions, as she would have been focused on the game. However, post tip-off, the 30-year-old received a very different reception inside the arena. This is what she would have registered over the 28 minutes she spent on the floor.

Fans booed the Fever player, who would have also witnessed several banners in the stands supporting the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports

Cunningham expressed her gratitude to the fans in the arena

During her postgame interview, the former Missouri Tigers player opted to live up to her own statement from two weeks ago ahead of the Las Vegas game. The 30-year-old player’s response steered away from any mention of things outside of the sport and the fans.

“I want to shout out the Tempo crowd in the city,” she said during the post-game interview. “I think we’ve had so much fun. It’s my first time being in Canada. It’s a lot of our first times being in Canada. But the crowd was absolutely amazing, and I think that’s what sports is all about.”

“You’re going to get boos, and you’re going to get cheers. But just the fact that they’re so passionate, they’re loud, and they’re putting on for the city. I think it’s amazing. So, shout out to you guys for coming out and supporting.”

Cunningham appeared to take it all in stride. And if you think the Fever’s 101-95 victory played a role in keeping her in a positive mood, again, you might not be wrong.

Kelsey Mitchell and Marina Mabrey have a heated moment

The Toronto Tempo had Marina Mabrey leading the way, as she scored 22 points in just 29 minutes. This was Mabrey’s third straight game where she led the scoring for her team.

The Fever would have paid close attention to Mabrey in the buildup to this game, especially after she dropped 23 against the Wings and 36 against the Dream. Their game plan was simple, with Kelsey Mitchell being one of the players who stepped up.

Mitchell was seen giving Mabrey an earful after a block during the game, just seconds after the Tempo player made her second three-pointer of the quarter. The moment occurred just at the start of the third quarter with Indiana leading 59-55. Both players were near the left, with Mabrey looking to deny Mitchell an opportunity to progress.

The duo shoved each other, with Mitchell visibly frustrated as she yelled in Mabrey’s face. There was no serious melee before their teammates and the referees stepped in, but Rebecca Lobo made an interesting observation on commentary.

“Mitchell never does this. Even when she gets frustrated, she doesn’t get calls, she generally walks the other way and just has a smile on her face. I have not seen her interact with a player like this,” said Lobo.

Mitchell, who had scored 16 in the first quarter, did not let that incident affect her as she dropped 11 in the third period. This allowed her to finish the game with 29 points, despite not taking the court in the fourth.

Key contributions from elsewhere came from Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Clark added 24 points, while Boston finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks.

Caitlin Clark and Mitchell set new records

The game also added another chapter to the history of the Clark-Mitchell duo. Tuesday’s win was the 16th time this season that the pair has recorded at least 20 points, setting a new WNBA record. Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter previously reached that mark 15 times with the Phoenix Mercury 18 years ago.

Mitchell also scored at least 20 points for the 20th consecutive game, matching Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson for the longest such streak in WNBA history.

And the Clark-Mitchell connection wasn’t limited to what happened on the court.

After Mitchell scored eight points in less than a minute late in the third quarter, she headed to the locker room and did not return to the court at a steamy Scotiabank Arena.

“This is two games in a row where we played in really, really hot environments,” coach Stephanie White said. “All indications are right now that she was just overheated.”

Later, during the postgame press conference, Clark was asked about Mitchell’s condition. Her response came with a little humor. 

“Maybe if Canada had air conditioning, that would probably be helpful. It’s a million degrees in here, but hopefully she’ll be okay. But we certainly missed her,” said Clark.

Aside from the hilarious jab, Clark also made sure to praise the warm reception she and the Fever received from fans in Canada. 

Clark addresses the unmatched love from fans in Toronto 

Ahead of the game, the Indiana Fever guard shared her excitement around her first game in Toronto.

As Ian Finlayson, assistant editor of Sportsnet, posted on X, Caitlin Clark said, “Even at our hotel last night there was a few people that came up to us and were like ‘We love the Tempo, and we’re so excited for the game tomorrow.’ … They also maybe said they would be rooting for us this game.”

A clip featuring Clark and a young fan quickly took over social media on Tuesday. In the video, Clark received flowers from the young fan and signed her jersey in the stands. In the background, another young fan held up a banner filled with positive messages for the Fever guard.

So, what did Clark make of all the love and attention she received in Toronto? Immediately after the game, Clark’s on-court interview saw her praise the fans.

“It’s been great. The fans were great tonight. It’s been really cool to see how much women’s basketball has grown. So really fun for my first time in Canada and certainly excited to come back.”

Unexpected? Maybe not, especially after Clark has been setting and breaking records every time she steps onto the court. Clark is looking forward to the Fever’s next game in Canada, which is a month away.

Before that, they will look to rest and go for a sixth straight win. Should they beat the Wings on Thursday, it will be the Fever’s first six-game winning streak since 2015.