Caitlin Clark Dazzles Shooting as Fever Approach Playoff Contention

On September 5, Coach Christie Sides expressed her admiration for rookie Caitlin Clark, stating she was “shooting the hell out of the ball” following Clark’s impressive triple-double performance. The Indiana Fever triumphed over the Los Angeles Sparks with a score of 93-86, marking their fifth consecutive victory and solidifying their playoff ambitions.

Following the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Clark remarked, “These are games you really need to win at home. The more we can win, the better we can position ourselves for the playoffs.” She acknowledged the dedication of the fans, adding that they invest a lot of money to witness the team’s efforts and excitement during games.

In this game, Clark demonstrated her skill by scoring 15 of her total 24 points in the second half. She completed 8 of 17 shooting attempts and made 4 of 10 from beyond the arc. Additionally, she amassed 10 rebounds and 10 assists, achieving her second triple-double of the season. Clark is now among only five WNBA players who have recorded multiple triple-doubles in a single season.

Clark’s achievements this August earned her the titles of WNBA Rookie of the Month and Eastern Conference Player of the Month. She also set a record as the fastest player in WNBA history to sink 100 three-pointers, reaching this milestone during her 34th game. She entered the contest with 98 three-pointers and concluded it with a total of 102.

Remarkably, Clark has tallied seven games this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists, setting a new WNBA single-season record. She has consistently met these benchmarks, achieving them in her last three games.

Initially, Clark’s shooting percentages were low; she made only 35% of her shots and 29% from three-point range in her first 11 games. However, her performance has improved significantly, with her current statistics reflecting 48% shooting from the field and 37% from three-point range over her last nine games. Her overall performance in the previous 23 games shows she made 45% of her shots and 36% of her shots from beyond the arc.

Coach Sides praised Clark’s growth and her ability to make impressive assists while maintaining strong team involvement. “She’s playing really well. She’s shooting the hell out of the ball and she’s making sure she’s finding those open players,” Sides noted, expressing pride in Clark’s contributions.

In the victory against the Sparks, Fever center Aliyah Boston had a notable performance, scoring 24 points and securing 14 rebounds alongside four assists. Guard Kelsey Mitchell also contributed with 18 points. For the Sparks, guard Odyssey Sims led the scoring effort with 20 points.

The Fever secured their playoff spot for the first time since 2016 and now look to enhance their position as the regular season nears its conclusion. Currently, they hold an 18-17 record and sit in the No. 6 position in the standings. They trail behind the Seattle Storm (20-13) and Las Vegas Aces (21-12), who occupy the No. 5 and No. 4 spots, respectively.

If the playoffs were to commence based on Wednesday’s results, the Fever would compete against the No. 3 Minnesota Lynx (24-9) in the opening round. The victor of this series would then advance to face either the No. 2 Connecticut Sun (24-9) or the No. 7 Phoenix Mercury (17-17) in the following round.

Currently, the All-Star-forward Angel Reese leads the Chicago Sky (11-22), who are vying for the No. 8 spot in the WNBA standings. The competition includes the Atlanta Dream (11-22), Washington Mystics (10-23), Dallas Wings (9-24), and the Sparks (7-26), all battling for the last playoff position.

With a remarkable home record of 10-1 over their last 11 games, the Fever are set to host the Lynx at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Friday in Indianapolis.