In her triumphant return, Caitlin Clark made a significant impact by sinking seven 3-pointers and notching a season-best 32 points, leading the Indiana Fever to a triumphant 102-88 victory over the defending WNBA champions, the New York Liberty. The game, held in Indianapolis, marked the Liberty’s first loss of the season.
Clark, who had been absent for five games due to a quadriceps injury, not only matched her career high in 3-pointers but also contributed nine assists and eight rebounds. The Fever, now with a balanced record of 5-5, showcased exceptional long-range shooting by setting a franchise record with 17 successful 3-pointers out of 35 attempts, achieving an impressive 48.6% success rate. This was Clark’s third career game where she achieved at least 30 points, along with five rebounds and five assists.
Supporting Clark’s stellar performance, Kelsey Mitchell scored an additional 22 points while Lexie Hull contributed 14 points to the scoreboard. Aliyah Boston was solid with a double-double, adding 10 points and snagging 11 rebounds, propelling Indiana to their first triple-digit game of the season. Clark’s absence saw the Fever navigating a tough patch, going 2-3 without their star.
For the Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu put up a valiant effort by scoring a season-high 34 points on an impressive 11-of-20 shooting, while Breanna Stewart added 24 points. However, the Liberty, who were the last unbeaten team in the WNBA with a 9-1 record, couldn’t maintain their streak.
The game initially seemed in favor of the Liberty as they surged ahead with a 17-6 lead. However, Clark’s exceptional play-making capabilities soon turned the tables. In a brief span, she completed a three-point play and then made a series of deep 3-pointers, helping to tie the game at 24 by the end of the first quarter.
By halftime, the Fever were narrowly ahead, leading 53-50. The Liberty responded strongly with a 9-0 run at the start of the third quarter, but Indiana answered decisively with a 19-0 surge to finish the quarter at 80-71. Despite the Liberty’s attempts to rally and narrow the gap to 85-82 with just six minutes remaining, the Fever sealed their victory with a commanding 14-2 run, securing a well-deserved win.