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

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark returned to the court feeling revitalized after a month-long break for the WNBA Olympic break, showcasing her skills in a thrilling matchup against the Phoenix Mercury.

In her impressive performance, Clark scored 29 points, including 13 in the first quarter, while providing 10 assists and hitting four 3-pointers. Her efforts propelled the Indiana Fever to a crucial 98-89 victory, allowing them to reinvigorate their season. Clark’s standout play was key in fending off a challenging second-half rally from Phoenix.

“You knew they were going to come in here with a lot of confidence, with three people that have won gold medals,” Clark remarked, reflecting on her motivation against the Olympic stars. “You know their confidence is really high and I thought we came out and really set the tone.”

Clark’s performance marked her 10th double-double of the season but she was not alone in her success. Kelsey Mitchell also shined brightly, sinking six 3-pointers and finishing with 28 points. Aliyah Boston contributed as well, outshining veteran Brittney Griner with 14 points and nine rebounds, solidifying the Fever’s 3-0 series sweep against the Mercury. This victory intensified the rivalry between Clark and three-time WNBA champion Diana Taurasi.

The rivalry’s tension had been building since April when Taurasi, predicting a tough rookie season for Clark, sparked some verbal exchanges. This competitive dynamic was further fueled when the Mercury released a playful video featuring a fan questioning: “Who’s Caitlin? I’m here for Taurasi.” During the match, moments of discord unfolded, hinting at the intense rivalry.

Despite the energy of the home crowd, the Fever faced a confident Mercury team featuring Olympians struggling with fatigue after a rigorous week, including traveling from the Paris Games. Indiana capitalized on this weariness, leaping to a commanding 48-20 lead midway through the second quarter.

“I think you can see it in their faces, you know, they’re tired,” stated Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts. “There are going to be better days, for sure. We’ve just got to understand these games are going to come quick here, but I know all three of them are ready to sleep in their own beds.”

Although Kahleah Copper, another Olympic gold medalist for Phoenix, shined with 32 points and eight rebounds, Taurasi and Griner had a rocky start. They managed only 12 points combined in the first half, with Taurasi finishing with 16 and Griner collecting 10 points along with four rebounds despite facing foul trouble.

Phoenix rallied in the second half, cutting the halftime deficit down to 54-37. They began the third quarter with a striking 25-7 run, even taking the lead at 62-61. However, the Fever regained their composure, with Mitchell excelling in her shooting and Katie Lou Samuelson landing a crucial buzzer-beating 3-pointer as they closed the third quarter with a 73-65 advantage. From there, the Fever never relinquished the lead.

“Yeah, it was pretty fun. I think we came out with a lot of energy,” Clark commented about the fast-paced start. “I think there are times where we could have crumbled, but we just kept battling and fighting and I thought it was a really good one for us.”

The atmosphere in the arena was heightened by former Fever star and Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, who celebrated Indiana’s selection as the host for next season’s All-Star Game. During a timeout in the first quarter, she addressed the audience, energizing the crowd with the announcement that the game is scheduled for July 19, with the Fever having previously hosted the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

Before the game commenced, the Fever honored the late Jim Morris, a former vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, who made significant contributions to the Fever franchise. A tribute video was shown, followed by the unveiling of Morris’ banner in the rafters, marking him as the ninth individual to receive such recognition and the first honored for both the Fever and Pacers.

The Mercury will return to action by hosting the Chicago Sky, while the Fever will face the Seattle Storm in their next respective games.

Source: AP