Caitlin Clark is still finding her groove after her recent injury, but her high-IQ passing once again carried the Indiana Fever to a crucial win, this time over Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream on Friday in Indianapolis.
Though Clark went just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc and finished 5-for-17 overall, her assist game remained elite, setting up key baskets in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory.
Atlanta’s big center, Brittney Griner, also had an off night. Despite her imposing presence, Griner managed only 4for11 shooting, collecting eight rebounds, a steal, an assist, two blocks, and three turnovers.
She looked visibly frustrated at times, especially when pitted against Aliyah Boston, who helped control the paint on behalf of Indiana.
Indiana got offensive support from Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston.
Cunningham poured in 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting (4-of-5 from three), added 10 boards and a block. Boston was perfect from the line, sinking 8 free throws on her way to 19 points.
Clark’s passing prowess shines again
While her shot lagged, Clark‘s vision never faltered. As the fourth quarter began, she sprinted downcourt and threaded a pinpoint pass to Boston.
Moments later, another assist dropped into the key for Boston, helping Indiana pull away. She even absorbed a hard foul attempt without losing composure.
This performance fits a pattern seen throughout the season: Clark isn’t always sharp as a shooter, but her playmaking keeps the Fever competitive.
She continues to hover around 18 points and 9 assists per game this year.
Clark‘s sophomore season in the WNBA has been a roller coaster. A groin issue caused her to miss five games, compounding on a prior quad injury, ten missed games in total.
Upon returning, her averages dipped to roughly 17.4 PPG on 38.6 percent shooting and 30.1 percent from beyond the arc.
She acknowledged these struggles as part of her growth journey.
Despite the shooting slump, Clark embraces the challenge. She said, “It felt good to be out there… It’s going to take me a second to get my wind back. There’s not really anything that can replicate it than a true game.”
Clark remains a catalyst for the Fever’s overall performance. As ESPN’s Carolyn Peck noted, the team has showcased stronger ball movement and defensive intensity, even in Clark’s absence.
Energized by adversity
Indiana‘s bench has stepped up in recent weeks. During Clark‘s earlier absence, the Fever went 55 overall. Significantly, they captured the Commissioner’s Cup title.
Players like Mitchell, Boston, and Cunningham gained confidence; now, Clark‘s return brings both her firepower and a more battle-tested supporting cast.
Head coach Stephanie White has expressed optimism but also cautions patience.
With a 99 record tying for seventh in the WNBA standings, the Fever remain in playoff contention, but their success hinges on Clark finding consistency.
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