Caitlin Clark contributed eight points and eight assists in the Indiana Fever’s final regular-season game, resulting in a narrow 92-91 loss to Washington. The match attracted a WNBA-record crowd of 20,711 at the Capital One Arena in Washington.
Despite the defeat, the game held minimal significance for Indiana, which had already secured the sixth seed for the playoffs. The Fever will face the third-seeded Connecticut Sun in the first round of the postseason, which will be a best-of-three series, starting with the first two games in Connecticut. If a decisive Game 3 is needed, it will be hosted by Indiana.
Clark’s playing time was limited to under 20 minutes, a precaution mentioned by Fever coach Christie Sides prior to the game, who noted the team would take careful measures with all starters. Clark recorded a shooting line of 2-of-5, both baskets from behind the arc, along with five rebounds and a steal.
Over the course of the regular season, Clark averaged 19.2 points, leading the league with 8.4 assists, along with 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Although she also led in turnovers with an average of 5.6, this is typical for guards who frequently handle the ball. Clark has set multiple records in her rookie season and is widely expected to win the Rookie of the Year award next week when the league announces its honors.
The Fever experienced a moment of concern when guard Kelsey Mitchell, who has been excelling since the Olympics, severely twisted her left ankle early in the game. Mitchell appeared to struggle while returning on defense, and after being subbed out, she promptly went to the locker room. Although she did not start the second half, her warm-up session after the break suggests that her brief absence was likely a precaution, as she played for under five minutes.
Kristy Wallace led Indiana with 17 points, while NaLyssa Smith added 16 points. Sika Kone was the top scorer for Washington with 20 points.