Caitlin Clark, Fever looking for another win over Mystics

Field Level Media|published: Tue 9th July, 11:42 2024

Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is fouled by Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton (1) during the fourth quarter at Footprint Center.

One question entering Wednesday afternoon's game between the Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever is what's next on Caitlin Clark's to-do list?

The Fever guard will try to build on the first triple-double by a WNBA rookie when the teams meet for a matinee in Indianapolis.

"I take a lot of pride in being able to do a lot of different things for this team," said Clark, who's just a few months removed from a standout college career for Iowa.

The Fever (9-13) rode Clark's big production -- 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds -- in Saturday's 83-78 victory against the New York Liberty in the opener of a three-game homestand.

Clark has led the Fever in scoring in only three of the past nine games, but Indiana is 6-3 in those outings.

"This team is just learning along the way, growing every day," Fever coach Christie Sides said. "The resiliency that they show. The chemistry that we have on the court, that just keeps getting better. That just takes time."

The Mystics (5-17) will be wrapping up a four-game road stretch, trying to snap a two-game skid after Saturday's 74-67 loss at Minnesota.

"I think the execution can definitely get better and more consistent over the course of 40 minutes," Mystics coach Eric Thibault said.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough has led Washington in scoring in all three games of the road swing.

Clark's 16.1 points per game are second on the Fever behind Kelsey Mitchell (16.5). Clark also ranks second in the league with 7.4 assists per game.

"My teammates have been finishing the ball," Clark said. "... My assist numbers, that's because of them."

Sides said the timing among the Fever players is improving. That has made Clark's teammates better prepared for some of her passes in recent games.

The Mystics came out of their most recent game with a long injury report. That included Emily Engstler sitting out with an illness along with Shakira Austin (hip), Brittney Sykes (foot) and Karlie Samuelson (hand) all missing the game.

Indiana has defeated the Mystics twice this season, aided by Clark's 30 points in a June 7 road victory and then benefiting from forward Aliyah Boston's 22 points in winning 88-81 in the June 19 rematch at home.

The teams will meet again in the regular-season finale in September.

--Field Level Media