The Golden State Valkyries came into the matchup against the Indiana Fever with a clear, well-executed plan: contain Caitlin Clark and force mistakes. Unlike the physical playstyle of teams like the Connecticut Sun, the Valkyries focused on disciplined defense, neutralizing Clark and earning an 11-point victory.
Kelsey Mitchell was one of the few bright spots for the Fever, scoring 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. “We allowed them to outplay us in terms of aggressiveness,” the guard admitted after the game. She acknowledged the team lost composure and failed to respond with energy under pressure. Clark, meanwhile, finished with just 11 points, missed all 7 of her three-point attempts, committed 6 turnovers, and made only 3 of her 14 field goal attempts.
Austin Kelly calls out internal failures and poor execution
Interim head coach Austin Kelly didn’t sugarcoat his assessment after the game. “We turned the ball over five times in the first six or seven possessions. We had eight turnovers in the third quarter. That kills you when you’re trying to extend a lead,” he stated bluntly.
Since taking over the team, Kelly has emphasized the need for greater accountability and tactical consistency. The loss to Golden State exposed the Fever’s struggles, who finished the game with 17 turnovers-six of them from star guard Caitlin Clark.
Kelly specifically pointed to the team’s sluggish start in the third quarter as the turning point. A lack of intensity and focus allowed the Valkyries to flip the momentum and control the closing stages of the game.
Valkyries studied Clark’s game closely
Credit also goes to the Valkyries, who built a defensive strategy tailored to Clark’s tendencies. The team analyzed her most lethal moves-such as her signature left-handed step-back-and used physical play to disrupt her rhythm and confidence. It’s a tactic that more WNBA teams are beginning to adopt to neutralize high-profile players.
When asked about Mitchell’s postgame comments, Kelly was direct: “We didn’t bring it out of the locker room, and that hurts team confidence. I agree with Kelsey. We didn’t play the way we needed to, nor did we focus on the essentials offensively.”
The coach also hinted that the Fever lost their edge due to fear of committing fouls-especially in a league that’s been strict with physical contact on star players like Clark. Their lack of aggressiveness ultimately sealed their fate.
Was this Clark’s worst WNBA game? Fans expected more
In a packed Chase Center with over 18,000 fans, the crowd came to see Caitlin Clark shine. But instead, it turned out to be perhaps her most disappointing night yet in the league. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, even voiced his frustration after placing a bet on Clark’s performance.
“I’m happy for Kate Martin. But what I really liked was seeing a home crowd cheer for their team and not just for Caitlin. That’s real growth for the league,” he posted on social media.
While the Valkyries celebrate a strategic win, the Indiana Fever must now regroup, fix their mistakes, and reclaim their competitive identity. Kelly’s message was clear: without urgency, aggression, and focus, there’s no room for success in the WNBA.
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