CHICAGO — That sound the Phoenix Mercury heard was Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever zooming previous them within the playoff race.
Clark scored a season-high 31 factors, one higher than her earlier mark, and the Fever moved as much as sixth place within the eight-team playoff subject with a 100-81 win over the Chicago Sky on Friday night time. Although they’ve an an identical 16-16 document because the Mercury, the tiebreak is head-to-head conferences and the Fever swept their three video games towards Phoenix this season.
“It is actually spectacular how we began the season and, now, sitting at sixth place with eight video games left,” Clark stated, referring to Indiana’s 1-8 begin. “However it’s important to proceed to execute down the stretch.”
There’s lots of the season left, in fact. However given how Indiana began the season, and the favorable schedule they’ve over the remaining three weeks, Clark and the Fever must really feel fairly good about the place they stand. Solely three of the Fever’s final eight video games are towards groups with successful information, and solely two are on the highway.
The Fever have not made the playoffs since 2016, when Clark was a freshman in highschool.
Whereas Clark and the Fever have performed to sold-out crowds virtually in all places this season, Friday night time’s recreation was one thing particular. The rivalry between Clark’s Fever and Angel Reese’s Sky has developed into one of many WNBA’s greatest this season, and the curiosity mirrored it.
WNBA legend Sue Fowl and Corridor of Famer Shaquille O’Neal had been available, as had been gamers from the Chicago Bulls and Bears. With a median value of $334 as of Thursday morning, it was the costliest recreation in WNBA historical past, in accordance with TickPick.
Understanding the curiosity there’d be for this recreation, the Sky used it to host the WNBA’s first Barbie-themed night time.
However Clark and the Fever spoiled the celebration with their lopsided win. It was Indiana’s third victory in a row and fifth in its final six video games. It additionally gave the Fever the season sequence over Chicago, having received three of their 4 conferences.
“We needed to win the season sequence with them, that was type of a spotlight level,” Clark stated. “Final time right here, we had been up 15 in fourth quarter and type of fumbled it away. So it was one other alternative for us to come back in right here and present what we’re about. And I assumed we had been actually good.
“And, actually, I simply had lots of enjoyable enjoying. I assumed we performed with lots of pleasure.”
Caitlin Clark stats
Clark completed with 31 factors, her third 30-point recreation of her rookie season. She was 8 of 14 from the ground, together with 5 of 9 from 3-point vary. She additionally had 12 assists, giving her an eleventh double-double on the season. She’s additionally had a triple-double.
However the stat that can absolutely please Clark essentially the most is her three turnovers. That is only one off her season low.
“She did a superb job caring for the ball,” Fever coach Christie Sides stated. “That is simply the expansion. That is issues we weren’t doing earlier. And now she’s recognizing these issues.”
Indiana’s subsequent recreation is Sunday, on the Dallas Wings.