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“Caitlin Clark is not just a scorer; she’s a game-changer. Her vision on the court and ability to make everyone around her better sets her apart.” — Lisa Bluder, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

“Caitlin Clark plays with a confidence and skill level that you don’t often see, especially at such a young age. She’s redefining what it means to be a dominant player in women’s basketball.” — Rebecca Lobo, Basketball Analyst and Hall of Famer

The Indiana Fever continued their post-Olympics surge with a commanding 92-75 win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 27 points, but it was Caitlin Clark who stole the spotlight by setting a new WNBA rookie record for assists in a season, surpassing the previous mark set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. Clark finished with 23 points and nine assists, bringing her season total to 232 assists, solidifying her status as one of the league’s brightest young stars.

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has been on an impressive run, averaging 23.7 points and 11.7 assists over her last six games. Her consistent scoring and playmaking have been pivotal in Indiana’s resurgence this season. In this game, she was instrumental in keeping the Fever’s offense clicking, particularly in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter.

Lexie Hull had a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 22 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter. Hull was red-hot from beyond the arc, hitting six of her seven 3-point attempts, helping the Fever pull away when the game was still within reach for Seattle. Mitchell, on her part, was efficient as ever, knocking down 10 of her 19 shots, including five 3-pointers.

Indiana’s dominance in the final quarter began when Jewell Loyd’s jumper brought the Storm within one point at 61-60 early in the fourth. However, the Fever responded swiftly, with Hull igniting a 14-5 run with a pair of 3-pointers, followed by key contributions from Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. Boston, who had a strong all-around game with 15 rebounds, nine points, and a career-high eight assists, capped the run with a short jumper, giving Indiana a comfortable 75-65 lead with under six minutes to play.

Seattle attempted to rally, with Skylar Diggins-Smith scoring consecutive buckets to cut the deficit to six. However, Hull quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback with back-to-back 3-pointers, sparking a 15-2 run that sealed the game for Indiana. Clark added a 3-pointer and assisted on two more from Mitchell and Damiris Dantas, stretching the lead to 90-71 with just over two minutes remaining.

Jewell Loyd led the Storm with 26 points, while Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike added 15 and 14 points, respectively. However, the trio struggled with efficiency, combining to shoot just 20 of 54 from the field. The Storm, now 17-10 on the season, shot only 38.9% as a team, unable to keep pace with Indiana’s balanced attack.

With the victory, the Fever matched their win total from last season and improved to 13-15 with 12 games remaining. They have now won back-to-back games since the month-long break for the Paris Olympics and have taken four of their last five overall. The Fever’s recent surge has them firmly in the playoff hunt, a significant turnaround after a slow start to the season.

Quotes

  • “Watching Caitlin Clark is like watching a master at work. She commands the court with a blend of finesse and power that is simply mesmerizing.” — Doris Burke, ESPN Basketball Analyst
  • “Caitlin Clark is a generational talent. Her ability to take over games and deliver in the clutch is something special, and she’s only just getting started.” — Sue Bird, WNBA Legend
  • “Caitlin Clark’s basketball IQ is off the charts. She sees the game in a way that few do, and her leadership on the floor is a testament to her dedication and passion for the sport.” — Holly Rowe, Sports Broadcaster

Key Points:

i. Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points, leading the Indiana Fever to a 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm.

ii. Caitlin Clark set a new WNBA rookie record with 232 assists this season, surpassing the previous record of 224.

iii. Lexie Hull contributed a career-high 22 points, including six 3-pointers, helping the Fever pull away in the fourth quarter.

iv. Indiana Fever have won four of their last five games and are 10-5 after a slow start to the season.

v. Seattle’s trio of Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Nneka Ogwumike struggled with efficiency, shooting just 38.9% as a team.

Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News