The Indiana Fever secured their first win of the season against the Phoenix Mercury on June 30, a game that rookie Caitlin Clark considers a pivotal moment for the team. On Friday, they defeated the Mercury again, this time with a score of 98-89, marking their third victory against them this year, and enhancing their chances for a playoff spot as they played their first game following the Olympic break.
With 13 regular-season games remaining, Indiana is currently in seventh place, holding a one-game lead over eighth-place Chicago and three games ahead of ninth-place Atlanta. The top eight teams qualify for the WNBA playoffs, something the Fever haven’t achieved since 2016.
After facing a challenging schedule that led to a 1-8 start, the Fever has turned things around to sit at 12-15. Clark’s performance is making history, as she scored 29 points—just shy of her season high—alongside 10 assists and 5 rebounds on Friday. This achievement makes her the first rookie in WNBA history to record multiple games with at least 25 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds, with this being her second such game of the season.
Previously, Clark set a WNBA record with 19 assists in the Fever’s game prior to the break on July 17. With the additional 10 assists on Friday, she now has 29 assists in her last two games, the second highest by any WNBA player across any two-game span, only behind Courtney Vandersloot, who had 30 assists in a two-game stretch back in 2020.
Reflecting on her transition from college to the WNBA, Clark stated, “I’ve always been able to understand the court well and see something happen before it happens,” emphasizing the importance of developing chemistry with her teammates for better playmaking.
Clark also showcased her skills during the WNBA All-Star Game on July 20, where she contributed 10 assists to Team WNBA’s victory over the U.S. national team. After a brief break, she was eager to return to action in Friday’s game.
Her teammate, veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, added to the Fever’s success with 28 points, collectively making 10 three-pointers with Clark. Mitchell, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, is now in her seventh season with the Fever and is finally part of a serious playoff push.
Reflecting on the game, Clark remarked on the team’s strong start, leading 33-16 after the first quarter and 54-37 at the half, although they faced pressure as Phoenix attempted a comeback in the third. “We just kept battling and fighting,” she said proudly.
Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 32 points, contributing alongside teammates Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, who recently won Olympic gold with Team USA in Paris.
Clark pointed to their first win against Phoenix earlier in the season as a significant boost for the team’s morale. “That really kind of boosted us into how we’re playing basketball right now,” she noted, expressing respect for the Mercury’s talent and their impact on her team’s confidence.
The Fever also achieved a 95-86 victory over the Mercury on July 12. Clark has consistently performed well against the Mercury, reaching at least 15 points and 10 assists in all three games against them, making her the first player in WNBA history to achieve such totals in three consecutive games against the same opponent.
With 223 assists this season, Clark is just three assists away from breaking the rookie season record of 225, set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998.
Fever coach Christie Sides highlighted the growth of the young team, noting, “As the season goes, they start recognizing things with each other. It’s just these guys getting to know each other and trust each other.”