Caitlin Clark continued her stellar rookie season with her sixth double-double, but despite her efforts, the Indiana Fever couldn’t complete a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, losing to the Washington Mystics 89-84.
The game began with promise for the Fever, who took an early 5-0 lead. However, the Mystics quickly responded with an 8-0 run to seize a lead they would not relinquish. Washington extended their advantage in the third quarter, culminating in a 21-point lead—their largest of the game—heading into the fourth.
Refusing to give up, Indiana fought back with a 13-1 run to start the final quarter, narrowing the deficit significantly. A subsequent 14-0 run brought the Fever within three points in the final minute, but the Mystics managed to fend off the late surge, avenging their earlier season loss to Indiana.
The Fever had one of their best shooting performances of the season, hitting 53.4% of their shots compared to Washington’s 44%. However, turnovers plagued Indiana, with 21 turnovers leading to 23 points for the Mystics. This disparity allowed Washington to attempt 75 shots, significantly more than Indiana’s 58. Eight of these turnovers occurred in the first quarter, enabling Washington to establish an early lead.
Clark was a standout, finishing with 29 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds. She fell just one point shy of her career-high, and her 13 assists tied a franchise record she has matched twice this season. Additionally, Clark set a career-high with five steals and tied her career-high with three blocks. Her impressive performance included 15 points in the fourth quarter alone, shooting 7-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Clark played a crucial role in the Fever’s near-comeback. Her dynamic play and flashy passes electrified the contest, showcasing her burgeoning talent and leadership.
Next, the Fever will host the Phoenix Mercury, featuring the second matchup between Clark and Diana Taurasi. Indiana has three more games before the All-Star and Olympic breaks, giving Clark more opportunities to shine.
