Caitlin Clark, despite her undeniable talent, wasn’t enough to carry Indiana to victory. Saturday’s loss against the New York Liberty exposed the Fever guard’s limitations-particularly when faced with a player capable of neutralizing her offensive contributions, as Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu pointed out.
Before a crowd of 17,000 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever gave the defending champions a run for their money. New York led by nine points in the third quarter, but a late-game surge from Clark and Aliyah Boston helped Indiana build an eight-point lead heading into the final period.
Reflecting on the game, Ionescu acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “It just shows us areas we need to continue to improve. In the third quarter, we shouldn’t be outscored 30-13. If we had kept pace, this would have been a completely different game.” Fortunately, the Liberty had an ace up their sleeve.
Natasha Cloud steps up for New York
Cloud, who joined the Liberty after an offseason of team shifts, delivered a standout performance Saturday in Indiana. The shooting guard not only contained Clark but also minimized the impact of Fever newcomer DeWanna Bonner.
After the game, Ionescu praised Cloud’s contributions, saying how thrilled she was to have her as a teammate. “We trust her ability to get downhill. She had a great offensive game as well, pushing pace and distributing the ball,”Ionescu recalled.
Beyond her offensive skills, Cloud excelled defensively, consistently guarding Clark. “She does an incredible job guarding the best player on the other team. That says a lot about her commitment to greatness,” Ionescu emphasized.
Cloud certainly delivered, limiting Clark to 18 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds while producing a solid stat line of her own: 16 points, six assists, and seven rebounds.
Coach Brondello’s praise for Cloud
It wasn’t just Ionescu who noticed Cloud’s impact-Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello also praised her standout play. “We’ve never had anyone quite like her before. We have someone who can get downhill and finish, but also create. And she’s also one of the best defenders in the league.”
Cloud and the Liberty will have a chance to prove Saturday’s 90-88 victory was no fluke when they face the Fever again on June 14 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in the second of their four matchups this season.
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