Caitlin Clark Scores Career-High Points in Win Over Sky Today

In a thrilling display of talent, Caitlin Clark led the Indiana Fever to a decisive 100-81 victory over the Chicago Sky on Friday night, securing a crucial spot in the playoff race. Clark’s impressive performance included a season-high 31 points, surpassing her previous record by one. This victory propelled the Fever to sixth place in the tightly contested playoff standings, where they currently share a 16-16 record with the Phoenix Mercury. However, Indiana claims the tiebreaker due to having swept all three of their matchups against Phoenix this season.

“It’s honestly impressive how we started the season and, now, sitting at sixth place with eight games left,” Clark reflected on her team’s journey, noting their tough beginning of the season that saw them at 1-8. “But you have to continue to execute down the stretch,” she added, recognizing the challenges that lie ahead.

With several games still to be played, there is a lot of potential for the Fever as they look forward to their upcoming matches. The schedule appears to favor them, as only three of their remaining eight games are against teams with winning records, and just two will be played on the road. The Fever have not participated in the playoffs since 2016, a significant absence for a team looking to regroup.

The atmosphere during Friday night’s game was electric, marked by a growing rivalry between Clark’s Fever and Angel Reese’s Sky. This matchup has become one of the most exciting in the WNBA, and the surge of enthusiasm was palpable. Notably, WNBA icon Sue Bird and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal were present, alongside players from the Chicago Bulls and Bears. With ticket prices averaging $334, this game set a record as the most expensive in WNBA history, according to TickPick.

In light of the heightened interest, the Sky hosted the league’s inaugural Barbie-themed night, adding a unique twist to the occasion. However, the Fever came in ready to compete and ultimately dampened the festivities with their convincing win. This victory marked Indiana’s third consecutive win and their fifth in the last six outings. Furthermore, it ensured they dominated the season series against Chicago, winning three out of the four encounters.

“We wanted to win the season series with them; that was kind of a focus point,” Clark stated post-game. “Last time here, we were up 15 in the fourth quarter and kind of fumbled it away. So it was another opportunity for us to come in here and show what we’re about. And I thought we were really good.” Clark emphasized the enjoyment that came from playing well, saying, “Honestly, I just had a lot of fun playing. I thought we played with a lot of joy.”

Clark’s impressive stats from the game include her 31 points, marking her third 30-point game in her rookie season. She recorded an efficient shooting night, hitting 8 of 14 attempts from the field and 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. Additionally, she contributed 12 assists, achieving her 11th double-double of the season, which also includes a triple-double earlier in the year.

One of the standout improvements noted during the game was her ability to manage the ball effectively, resulting in only three turnovers—close to her season low. “She did an excellent job taking care of the ball,” said Fever coach Christie Sides. “That’s just the growth. That’s things we weren’t doing earlier. And now she’s recognizing those things.”

The Fever’s next challenge awaits them as they prepare to face the Dallas Wings on Sunday, eager to maintain their momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.