In the buzzing basketball haven of Indianapolis, Caitlin Clark is orchestrating a hoops spectacle at Gainbridge Fieldhouse like it’s her own magical playground. On Friday night, the Indiana Fever narrowly escaped with a heart-pounding 95-86 win over the depleted Phoenix Mercury. But let’s be real, folks, the headline act? Clark’s spellbinding show of passing prowess.
Leading by as much as 31 points late in the third quarter, Clark nailed her fifth straight double-double, boasting 20 points, 13 assists, six rebounds, two blocks, and, for good measure, six turnovers—because even superheroes have their off moments.
“They’re obviously short on bodies, so the more we can push the pace, the better,” Clark casually remarked, downplaying her own brilliance with a humility so disarming it makes you forget she was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Blazing Starts and Meteoric Pace
Let’s dive into that blazing pace. Clark ignited the game with the force of a rocket launch, dishing out seven of her 13 assists in the opening seven minutes. The Fever’s first-half eruption left the Mercury gasping, down by 20 at halftime and staring at a daunting 31-point deficit by the third quarter’s end. Indiana seemed to be on cruise control. Or were they?
The Mercury, despite being without their superstar Diana Taurasi and several key players, staged a ferocious 17-0 rally, trimming the lead to single digits with just over five minutes left. Kahleah Copper was unstoppable, racking up a game-high 36 points.
Clark’s Clutch Magic
But Indiana had a secret weapon—Clark, who delivered a pinpoint pass to Kelsey Mitchell for a game-sealing three-pointer. That assist, Clark’s 13th of the night, tied a franchise record and slammed the door shut on Phoenix’s comeback, pushing the lead back to nine with a minute and a half to go.
Mitchell finished with 28 points, while Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith each posted double-doubles, ruling the paint and the boards. The Fever dominated the Mercury 60-28 in the paint and outrebounded them 42-30, showcasing a gritty, all-hands-on-deck effort.
Fever’s Future Looks Bright
Now at 10-14, the Fever are eyeing the All-Star break with renewed optimism, ready to flaunt their trio of All-Stars—Clark, Boston, and Mitchell—against the best in the U.S. women’s national team. Meanwhile, the Mercury, now 12-11, are licking their wounds, hoping for a healthier roster post-break. One thing’s certain—they’ll have to reckon with Clark’s game-changing talent when they clash again.
Averaging 7.6 assists per game, second only to Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas, Clark is dishing out dimes at an unprecedented pace. And if Friday night’s dazzling display is anything to go by, she’s only just begun her ascent to WNBA superstardom.
