INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark sees the progress — even as the losses and frustration mount.
On Tuesday night, against the WNBA’s only other one-win team, the Indiana Fever rookie strung together her most complete game yet by scoring a season-best 30 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing five rebounds in her most complete performance yet despite losing 88-82 to the Los Angeles Sparks.
“I think I just played with an aggressive mindset,” she said. “I think that was the biggest thing — to play downhill the best I could. We did some good things and then we just kind of shot ourselves in the foot.”
It’s been that kind of season, so far, for the former Iowa star and her new teammates.
They’ve lost seven of eight, but part of the problem has been a brutal schedule in which the Fever have played five games against last season’s top three teams and eight regular-season contests in 14 days, leaving little time for practice — or rest.
And it’s taken a toll even though Clark appears to be getting stronger by the game.
“Tonight she was able to get to the foul line a lot, which supplemented her offense, but you I thought we did a pretty good job (defensively),” Sparks coach Curt Miller said after facing Clark for the second time four days. “Obviously, the point total tonight again was bigger but you know seven made baskets tonight…”
That made Miller feel pretty good.
The game featured the top two picks in last month’s WNBA draft, Clark and forward Cameron Brink. Brink finished with three points, three rebounds and two assists.
But it was veterans Kia Nurse and Aari McDonald who stole the show. Nurse scored 22 points while McDonald added a season-high 21 points and four assists to help the Sparks (2-4) rally for a victory two days after losing to Indiana.
Clark has now lost all three of her home games, though the impact she’s had remains evident everywhere she goes.
The Fever drew a near-sellout crowd of 16,013 on a Tuesday night. a crowd that included former Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton, Indiana Pacers stars Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard and current NFL players Shaquille Leonard and Nick Cross.
What they saw was a wide array of emotions.
Fans leapt to their feet on Clark’s 3-pointer from the right wing just 66 seconds into the game. She wowed the crowd with nifty passes, crafty steals and even two first-half blocks.
She also made the home fans wince with three first-half turnovers and when a frustrated Clark’ drew a technical foul with 2.7 seconds left in the first quarter, coach Christie Sides even pulled her star rookie toward the free-throw line for a discussion between quarters.
And once, between McDonald’s free throw attempts, the Sparks guard mistakenly rushed to defend Clark.
“I think she was just trying to pick me, up, I don’t think she realized she had another because of the technical,” Clark said. “She didn’t say anything, just a kind person, honestly.”
At times, the game was downright ugly. While the Fever shot just 38.2% from the field, the Sparks committed 19 turnovers though they made a season-best 14 3s.
Indiana erased a 37-32 halftime deficit by starting the third quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 43-37 lead. It didn’t last. Los Angeles eventually responded with a decisive 28-8 run that turned a 55-48 third-quarter deficit into a 76-63 lead in the fourth quarter and the Fever never recovered.
Dearica Hamby had 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Los Angeles.
Aliyah Boston fought through foul trouble to add 17 points and six rebounds for the Fever. Kelsey Mitchell had 15 points, and Clark made three 3s and 13 of 15 free throws.
“I think everybody’s physical with me. They get away with things, you know, probably other people don’t,” Clark said. “It’s tough, but it’s a very physical game. That’s just professional basketball.”
UP NEXT
Sparks: Visit Chicago on Thursday, the second stop on a three-game road trip.
Fever: Hosts Seattle on Thursday in their second straight home game.
In a thrilling matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark put on a show, scoring a career-high 35 points in a losing effort. The Fever ultimately fell short to the Sparks, with a final score of 98-92.
Clark, who was drafted second overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft, has been turning heads with her exceptional playmaking ability and scoring prowess. The former Iowa Hawkeye standout has quickly made a name for herself in the league, earning praise from fans and analysts alike.
In this game against the Sparks, Clark showcased her full offensive arsenal, knocking down shots from beyond the arc and driving to the basket with ease. Her performance was a testament to her skill and determination on the court.
Despite Clark’s impressive showing, the Fever were unable to secure the win against a tough Sparks team. However, her standout performance serves as a reminder of her potential and bright future in the WNBA.
As Clark continues to develop and grow as a player, she will undoubtedly be a player to watch in the league. Her ability to score at will and make plays for her teammates make her a valuable asset for the Fever, and she will be a key player for the team moving forward.
Overall, Caitlin Clark’s career-high scoring night in the Fever’s loss to the Sparks was a glimpse of what she is capable of on the court. Fans can expect to see more impressive performances from her as she continues to make her mark in the WNBA.