Caitlin Clark’s 29 Points Lead Fever to 98-89 Victory Over Mercury

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark showcased her dynamism and resilience following a month-long break for the WNBA Olympic festivities. The Indiana Fever, powered by Clark’s performance, secured a significant 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

Clark erupted with 13 of her 29 points in the opening quarter, contributing 10 assists and hitting four 3-pointers. Her efforts played a vital role in ensuring the Fever maintained their lead despite a fierce second-half rally from Phoenix.

“They came in with a lot of confidence, having three gold medalists on their team,” Clark noted about the Mercury. “We knew we had to set the tone from the start.”

Clark’s remarkable game marked her tenth double-double this season. She wasn’t alone in her success—Kelsey Mitchell also had a notable game, sinking six 3-pointers and scoring 28 points. Aliyah Boston also stood out, outperforming Brittney Griner with 14 points and nine rebounds. This victory completed a season sweep of the Mercury, intensifying the rivalry ignited by Clark and the celebrated Diana Taurasi.

The competitive tension between Clark and Taurasi started back in April when Taurasi predicted Clark would face challenges as a rookie. This week, the Mercury escalated the rivalry by sharing a video on social media that featured a young fan dismissively questioning Clark’s place in the matchup.

On the court, the game was intense, with brief skirmishes breaking out, including a confrontation between Mitchell and Phoenix’s Natasha Cloud that led to double technical fouls. A separate altercation involving Griner and Boston also caught the audience’s attention.

Despite the excitement, Indiana, currently sporting a 12-15 record, thrived on the motivation offered by facing Olympic athletes. The Fever aimed not just for victory, but for their first season sweep of any team since 2020. In contrast, the Mercury appeared fatigued after the Paris Games, coupled with the fatigue of playing back-to-back games on the road. This weariness played a significant role in their early struggles.

The Mercury found themselves in a deep hole, trailing 48-20 midway through the second quarter, a margin that proved challenging to overcome. “You can see it on their faces; they’re tired,” acknowledged Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts. “There will be better days ahead.”

While one Olympic gold medalist, Kahleah Copper, lit up the scoreboard with 32 points and eight rebounds, Taurasi and Griner struggled in the first half, combining for only 12 points. Taurasi eventually ended the game with 16 points, while Griner recorded 10 points along with four rebounds—both struggled with foul issues.

Nevertheless, the Mercury managed to claw back into the contest, reducing the halftime gap to 54-37. They initiated the third quarter with a 25-7 scoring run, eventually taking a 62-61 lead late in that period.

However, after Clark returned to the court, the Fever regained their momentum, with Mitchell’s sharpshooting and Katie Lou Samuelson’s buzzer-beating three-pointer propelling them ahead 73-65. From that point, they maintained their lead in front of a sellout crowd, demonstrating resilience and teamwork.

“It was a lot of fun. We came out with a lot of energy,” Clark reflected on the quick start. “There were times we could have crumbled, but we just kept fighting, and it turned out to be a really solid win for us.”

In a notable pre-game moment, former Fever star Tamika Catchings addressed the audience during a timeout, celebrating Indiana’s upcoming role as the host for next year’s All-Star Game, slated for July 19. This announcement followed a league confirmation of Indiana’s selection, shortly after Phoenix had completed hosting this year’s All-Star weekend.

Before the game commenced, the Fever also honored late Jim Morris, the former vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, who significantly impacted the Fever franchise. A video tribute was screened, followed by the unveiling of Morris’ banner in the rafters, making him the first figure to receive recognition across both the Fever and Pacers franchises.

Looking ahead, the Mercury is set to host the Chicago Sky, while the Fever will welcome the Seattle Storm in their next contests.

Source: AP