The Indiana Fever-Washington Mystics matchup on Friday was one of the closest games this season. Through lead changes and clutch moments, the Fever eventually lost 104-102. But amid this chaos, there was one familiar name who yet again made her mark – Fever star guard Caitlin Clark, whose clutch play in the fourth quarter got a shoutout from the NBA.
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The sequence occurred in the final seconds of regulation. The Fever were trailing 86-89 with just over 3 seconds left on the clock. Sophie Cunningham passed the ball from the right side of the perimeter to Myisha Hines-Allen near the paint. Subsequently, Hines-Allen handed the ball to Clark near the left wing, who, in turn, nailed a 27-foot three-pointer to tie the score and send the game to overtime.
A replay of this sequence was shared on the NBA’s Instagram account, which included a 9-word message recognizing CC’s efforts. “CAITLIN CLARK TIES THE GAME WITH A TOUGH TRIPLE 🚨” the caption read.
Going into the Mystics game, Clark hasn’t had a great time with her three-point shooting in the season. In the past two games, the Fever guard made just three shots from beyond the arc in 16 attempts. But when the game was on the line, and the ball was in her hands, CC didn’t miss a beat.
The timing of the shot made Clark’s shot even more iconic. To pull off that move amid scoreboard pressure wasn’t at all easy for her. But Clark executed it to perfection, showcasing why she’s touted as one of the best in the business from deep, and even put the NBA on notice.
All in all, Caitlin Clark tried out everything she could in the game to hand a home win to the Indiana Fever. In the fourth quarter alone, CC scored 11 points when her team was trailing by 9 points at its start.
In overtime, Clark scored 4 points and also assisted Lexie Hull on a 26-foot three-pointer. That last shot bridged the gap to just a single point between the two teams with just over 6 seconds left in the OT. But the Fever couldn’t capitalize on that point.
The team conceded two free throws, which Sonia Citron split, making it 104-102 as the Mystics clinched a tightrope game that featured 10 lead exchanges. Clark finished the night with a season-high 32 points, along with 8 assists and 4 rebounds.
Kelsey Mitchell (24 Points) and Monique Billings (10) also scored in double figures in the game. But at the end of the day, it was the Indiana Fever’s cold shooting night that put the team on its back foot. For context, Indiana took 92 shots from the field in the game but connected on only 36, for 39%.
The Fever were also pretty disappointing from the free-throw line. Clark and Co. left 6 unused points in that regard. If converted, it could have tilted the game in their favor. But for Caitlin Clark, the cause of the defeat lies far beyond the offense.
Caitlin Clark Sends a Clear Message to Her Team After the Mystics Defeat
Ever since the Indiana Fever’s season tipoff against the Dallas Wings, the team’s defense has looked questionable. Against the Wings, the Fever conceded 50% from the field and from deep. Their defense improved against the LA Sparks, holding them to 78 points.
USA Today via Reuters
May 16, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball down court, Thursday, May 16, 2024, during the Indiana Fever home opener game against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports
But in the Mystics game, it again seemed like regression had taken hold. The Fever weren’t at all clean in getting the loose balls to close out possessions. The team had just 18 defensive rebounds in the game and was even outrebounded 18-36 in that regard.
The Fever defense also allowed the Mystics to score 56% from the field. Speaking after the game, Clark clearly emphasized that the team needs to play better defense when the momentum isn’t on their side.
“Our biggest room for improvement is when things aren’t going well, we still need to be able to defend and get stops,” Caitlin Clark said after the game.
The Fever also gave away 25 personal fouls and 28 free throws in the game. The Mystics capitalized quite well on the line, converting 22 of them. Sonia Citron dropped 30 in the game while Kiki Iriafen chimed in with 25 as well. These two, along with Shakira Austin, didn’t let the Fever catch a rhythm, who, by themselves, were a bit shaky.
This also marked the second time in the season so far that the Indiana Fever conceded 100+ points. These are early warning signs for the team in this early phase.
And if they want to make the season count, the players will have to step up on defense, as Clark noted after the game, too. The Indiana Fever’s next game is on May 17 against the Seattle Storm at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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