Caitlin Clark Set a WNBA Record & Somehow the Fever Still Lost. Impressive, Honestly

Watching Caitlin Clark play basketball these days feels like binge-watching Stranger Things.

Young players are not historically this good, this soon — especially not point guards. But every time Clark steps onto a WNBA court, she rewrites history, shifts expectations, and redefines what a modern WNBA guard looks like. A kin to Eleven in high-tops, casually bending reality, Clark continues to bend the game to her will. One minute you’re watching a high pick-and-roll — the next, Clark’s doing her patent step back left bombing another 30-footer like it’s nothing.

Straight, cash, homie.

On last night’s episode against the Atlanta Dream, Clark dropped 27 points, dished 11 assists, and grabbed 5 rebounds against the Atlanta Dream, tying the WNBA’s all-time record for 20-point, 10-assist games in just 42 outings.

In only two seasons, Clark holds an all-time record that she’s going to destroy before the end of her career.

Yet, despite Clark’s record-setting brilliance — and 24-point performances from both Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, one would think the Fever had this in the bag.

However, the Fever still came up short, losing 91–90 in a razor-thin finish to the Atlanta Dream.

When Closing Time Goes Wrong

Down by one, 9 seconds left on the clock, Indiana held the ball with the game hanging in the balance.

It’s often said that the person inbounding the basketball is the most dangerous person on the court in these late game situations. It’s because they have the ability to get the ball back, and normally unguarded since (their defender, If they have one, will be forget the inbound passer, or will be following another player.

Clark who inbounded the ball (for good reason as the best passer on the team), had the perfect set up to hit her first WNBA buzzer-beater.

However, the play was ran for Aliyah Boston, and the problem was she faced a defensive onslaught worthy of a WWE cage match battling in the paint with Brittney Griner.

“Initially we tried to get the ball to AB, but she was being chucked…we probably should’ve called timeout in that situation” said Stephanie White. 

Instead Boston dished it to Natasha Howard, and her late game-winner attempt was not successful. An offensive rebound came through, but the put-back miss also was not successful, and that was that.

Ball game.

That ending felt less like a smooth Netflix drop and more like a glitchy livestream buffering at the worst possible time.

Defensive Breakdown

Atlanta’s physical presence was on full display.

Their new look frontcourt did exactly what they were supposed to, be physical and dominate. With Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones combining for 40 points between the two, Indiana’s defense looked like a group project where no one showed up prepared.

“I thought AB was outstanding… BG and Bri Jones are two of the best bigs in our league, and we need to grow from it.”

Clark also acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles.

“It’s difficult to win a lot of games when we foul that much… I thought the 4th quarter, our defense was great, and we were able to push in transition” said Clark. 

But foul trouble wasn’t the only issue—lack of defensive cohesion doomed the Fever. This played into the part why the game was so close late in the 4th quarter. 

“We played like 5 individuals at times instead of a collective unit, and good teams take advantage of that” said White. 

In a league now deeper than the Bridgerton cast, that kind of disjointed effort can’t cut it.

Bench Scoring Woes

For the most part the starters for the Fever carried the load, but the reserve squad’s lack of production crippled Indiana’s ability to sustain pressure.

Newcomers Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner combined for six points on inefficient shooting. Meanwhile Sydney Colson’s six minutes featured two turnovers and no assists. The absence of Sophie Cunningham with an ankle injury hurt, but Atlanta was also missing Jordin Canada.

Still, in this game Indiana’s bench simply failed to answer the call. The bench scored a combined nine points. Meanwhile for the Atlanta Dream, they also outscored Indiana’s bench 12-9.

The sting of a one-point loss lingers, especially when Indiana missed 10 free throws in the contest. The Fever know they’re still finding rhythm in a fast paced league.

“We never gave up, we fought… we kept fighting and that’s a positive….It stinks, we want to win this game… that’s why this league is so great. You have a couple days and get back to it… we get a chance to go there and get back to it, get a little redemption” said Clark.

The upcoming rematch against Atlanta promises a worthy rematch.

Indiana needs to tighten defense, spark the bench, and execute flawlessly under pressure.

Because no matter how dazzling Caitlin Clark is, basketball’s a team sport—and solo acts can only go so far.