Caitlin Clark, Fever seek to curb struggles in Seattle

Field Level Media|published: Tue 21st May, 20:12 2024

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) knocks the ball away from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the second half of an WNBA basketball game, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Still in search of a first victory, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever take their attention-getting campaign to the Pacific Northwest for a matchup against the Seattle Storm.

The Fever (0-4) start a West Coast swing against another struggling team in the 1-3 Storm.

Clark and the Fever almost broke through Monday night in an 88-84 home loss to the Connecticut Sun. They led by four on two occasions in the fourth quarter but couldn't come up with key stops or scores against a more battle-tested, championship-level opponent.

Clark, who played through a left ankle injury Monday after sitting out the final 5:29 of the first half, is far from content with the situation as all eyes fall on her ability to transition to the pro game.

"You got to keep your head up but you also have to have a fire within you that is upset and not OK with losing four straight to open the year," Clark said. "You got to remember we played the top teams in the league. There's a sense that this is helping us get better."

Clark is averaging a team-high 17 points and 5.5 assists per game but has also committed 26 turnovers. Indiana's biggest problem has been on defense, allowing more than 93 points per game.

Seattle also is trying to figure out who it is in the first part of the season. The Storm upgraded their roster considerably, adding Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, but have yet to see results on the court.

Monday night's 74-63 loss at New York could have been expected. It was the second half of a back-to-back for Seattle and Ogwumike (ankle) was out for a second straight game. She hopes to return on Wednesday night.

Seattle coach Noelle Quinn isn't worried yet about a losing record.

"I want to use the first 10 games as a sample size at least," she said before Monday night's loss. "We've been battle-tested early. Been on the road early. The vets are here and it's going to take some time."

Indiana won two of the three matchups between the teams last season.

--Field Level Media

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