Fever Falters in Seattle Show down Despite Clark’s Record-Breaking Razzle-Dazzle
SEATTLE
he Indiana Fever faced another roadblock on their challenging season road, succumbing to the Seattle Storm 89-77 on Thursday night. Despite a valiant team effort with five players scoring in double digits, the cohesion and might of the Storm proved too formidable.
The Fever’s scoring was led by Erica Wheeler and the rookie phenomenon Caitlin Clark, who both notched 15 points. Wheeler, coming off the bench, lit up the third quarter by netting 10 of her total points, including a trio of three-pointers.
Meanwhile, Clark set a WNBA record as the fastest player to amass over 300 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists, a milestone reached in just 19 games.
Additional firepower came from Kelsey Mitchell with 14 points, while NaLyssa Smith added a near double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Aliyah Boston secured her sixth double-double of the season, contributing 11 points alongside a career-high 14 rebounds. Returning from injury, Temi Fagbenle chipped in eight points and seven rebounds.
The Fever dominated the boards, snagging a season-high 44 rebounds and outmatching Seattle’s 27, yet the Storm surged ahead in scoring, largely thanks to Jewell Loyd’s season-high 34 points. Loyd’s performance catapulted her up the WNBA All-Time 3-point field goals made list.
Reflecting on the game’s tactical aspects, Caitlin Clark shared her challenges, noting, “When you’re playing off a ball screen a lot and you get blitzed, you’re just going to have to give the ball up. That’s just how it rolls,” highlighting the defensive pressures applied by Seattle.
Coach Christie Sides underscored the strategic imperatives moving forward, “Caitlin Clark needs to shoot a minimum of 15 shots a game for us,” she declared. “She’s got to get shots, and we’ve got to do a better job of setting her up, setting some really good screens for her to get her open.”
The Fever’s night in Seattle illuminated both the promise of their rising stars and the tactical adjustments needed to transform individual achievements into team victories as they continue their campaign.
