In a highly anticipated WNBA matchup, the Indiana Fever (1-1) edged out the Los Angeles Sparks (0-2) with an 87-78 victory at Crypto.com Arena, drawing a crowd of 12,605 enthusiastic fans. The game featured a standout performance from a familiar face to Tennessee basketball fans.

Former Lady Vol Rae Burrell earned the start for the Sparks and made the most of her 32 minutes on the court. The 2022 first-round draft pick (No. 9 overall) contributed 10 points on efficient shooting, going 4-of-10 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. Burrell's all-around game was on display as she added one rebound, one assist, and two steals, though she did commit one turnover and one personal foul.

On the opposing side, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark stole the spotlight for Indiana, leading all scorers with 24 points. The Fever star stuffed the stat sheet with four rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and one block, showcasing why she's one of the most dynamic players in the league. However, Clark's aggressive play also led to six turnovers and two personal fouls.

Kelsey Mitchell provided strong support for Indiana with 23 points, while Sophie Cunningham chipped in 12 points to round out the Fever's balanced attack.

Burrell's journey to the WNBA began at Tennessee, where she played from 2018-2022. During her collegiate career, she appeared in 110 games (47 starts) and averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while logging 22.6 minutes per contest. Her standout play earned her a spot on the 2021-22 USA TODAY Preseason All-America Third Team, cementing her legacy as one of the Lady Vols' top performers in recent years.