Caitlin Clark delivered an outstanding performance with a career-high of 31 points and 12 assists in her final regular-season encounter against fellow rookie star Angel Reese, leading the Indiana Fever to a decisive 100-81 victory over the struggling Chicago Sky on Friday night.
Clark was impressive on the court, shooting 8 for 14 from the field, including 5 for 9 on three-point attempts, marking her 11th double-double of the season. She stands out as the only player to achieve three games scoring at least 25 points and 10 rebounds within one season. Moreover, she became the first player in WNBA history to have four games in one season with 50 or more points scored or assisted.
Reese had a solid game as well, contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds, which allowed her to break a tie with Tina Charles for the most rookie double-doubles at 23. She also set a new season record for Chicago, surpassing Sylvia Fowles. Reese achieved this milestone late in the game after Clark and the other Indiana starters had exited. She has also amassed a rookie record of 399 rebounds this season.
Clark’s performance has likely strengthened her case for the Rookie of the Year award, as the Fever improved to a 16-16 record, while the Sky fell to 11-20. This matchup marked the third victory for Indiana in four face-offs against Chicago, helping the Fever secure a likely playoff position, while the Sky struggles to maintain its standing in the playoff race.
The earlier matchups between these teams were closely contested, decided by only 10 points. However, this game was significantly different, with Indiana outpacing Chicago to set a season-high in points, while the Sky allowed their most points of the season.
“We played really well, and this was a big win for us,” Clark said. “It was significant, especially since we wanted to win the season series with them.”
The game attracted a sold-out crowd of 9,445 at Wintrust Arena, celebrating “Barbie Night,” honoring Reese’s college nickname, “Bayou Barbie.” Among the attendees were basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, former player Sue Bird, and soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
Kelsey Mitchell also stood out for the Fever, scoring 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting, marking her sixth consecutive game with at least 20 points. NaLyssa Smith added 14 points, while Lexie Hull contributed 11.
The Fever outperformed the Sky in several areas, despite being outrebounded 42-31. Indiana tallied 28 points in the paint and boasted a shooting percentage of 48.5% along with 26 assists on their 32 baskets.
For the Sky, Michaela Onyenwere led the scoring with 20 points, while Lindsay Allen contributed 19 and Rachel Banham added 14. The team played without Chennedy Carter, who missed her second consecutive game due to health and safety protocols.
The game began with the Sky taking an early lead, fueled by Allen, who scored quickly. However, the Fever responded by closing the first quarter on a strong run, trailing by just three points at the end.
Clark opened the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers, propelling the Fever ahead. They extended their run to 34-12, gaining a significant lead. The Sky managed to narrow the gap to five points by halftime, thanks to a free throw from Reese following a technical foul called on Aliyah Boston.
The Fever continued their strong play in the third quarter, maintaining an 11-point lead, which increased to 27 in the fourth before the Sky finished the contest with a late run.
“We can either go up or down, and we don’t want to keep losing,” Reese expressed. “It’s a tough feeling for all of us.”