The Indiana Fever finally got a well-deserved break after a grueling streak of 11 games in 20 days to start the WNBA season. This pause in their schedule might have been just what they needed before heading to the nation's capital to take on the winless Washington Mystics.
Amidst the week's events, a bombshell dropped — Caitlin Clark was left off the Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This decision has stirred a storm of controversy, with many questioning its validity. Given Clark's significant contributions and achievements, her absence in Paris this summer might be a loss for the team. However, USA Basketball says she lacks experience despite all her success.
Many analysts believe that strongly. But there is still some time before the Olympics, and whether or not we can see her filling in for someone who can't make it.
But that's beside the point; what Clark needs to focus on right now is winning some games with the Fever, and that's what she is doing. Only four WNBA rookies have ever made the U.S. Olympic team, and all four had national team experience before their rookie season in the W.
"I think it just gives you something to work for," Clark told reporters after practice Sunday, referring to the selections. "It's a dream. Hopefully, one day, I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully, when four years comes back around, I can be there."
June 8: Indiana at Washington Mystics
The Fever played against the Mystics in one of the largest crowds in WNBA history. In front of that crowd, Clark tied the rookie record with seven 3-pointers and dropped a career-high 30 points, along with her clutch free throws down the stretch to seal a Fever win, 85-83.
It was a sellout with 20,333 fans, the league's largest attendance for a game since 2007. The game was hosted at Capital One Arena instead of the smaller venue where the Mystics normally play.
After the four-day break, the Fever looked well-rested. Clark had by far her best all-around game, also having eight rebounds and six assists on eight of 15 from the field with four steals. She still struggled with turnovers, contributing eight, but she showed something that she needs to improve on.
Indiana led 82-80 when Aliyah Boston missed two free throws with 25.6 seconds remaining, giving Washington a chance to tie. However, Ariel Atkins missed a driving attempt, and the ball went out of bounds. The Mystics then had to foul, and Clark made two free throws for a four-point lead. Karlie Samuelson then answered with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.
Stefanie Dolson dropped 19 points for the Mystics, but they missed an ample opportunity when NaLyssa Smith of Indiana was called for a clear-path foul at 1:37. Down by three, rookie Aaliyah Edwards made just one of two free throws, and the Mystics didn't score on the final possession — leading to an 85-83 win for Indiana.
Smith and Aaliyah Boston both dropped 10 points, while Smith also had 10 rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell had 16 points and shot 50 percent from 3-point range.
The Fever captured their first win of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup in a game where they looked united as a team.
June 10: Indiana at Connecticut Sun
After playing the bottom team in the WNBA, the Fever went on to play against the top team in the league with only one loss in the season. It was the third time that Connecticut and Indiana have faced each other this season, and the Sun haven’t lost to the Fever since July 2021.
DiJonai Carrington scored a season-high 22 points, DeWanna Bonner had 17 and the Sun blew by the Fever, 89-72. The Sun held Clark to just 10 points while shooting 3 of 8 from the field. This was just all in the first half. Head coach Christie Sides sat Clark for the entire fourth quarter after picking up her fourth foul late in the third quarter.
When Clark didn't enter the game, fans in Connecticut started chanting, “We want Caitlin! We want Caitlin!”
At the end of the first half, the Sun went on a 16-4 run, giving them a 55-35 lead entering the second half. They came out with the same energy in the third quarter, starting with a 14-6 run. All of the Suns stacked the statistics sheet while Tyasha Harris and Brionna Jones had 11 points, Tiffany Mitchell had 10 points, and Alyssa Thomas had seven points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists.
For Indiana, Boston led with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, marking her second double-double of the season. Lexie Hull added 10 points off the bench.
The Sun's star power was too much for Indiana to handle. They crumbled poorly and lost 89-72.
Next up for the Fever is a three-game home stretch starting with Indiana hosting the Atlanta Dream on Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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