Tough Valkyries defense ruins Caitlin Clark’s return to Fever

The Golden State Valkyries rode a stout defensive effort to an 80-61 win over the Indiana Fever in Caitlin Clark's return to action in Indianapolis.

Clark, a WNBA All-Star captain, returned from her second significant injury of the season with 10 points, but could not provide enough offensive punch to help the Fever pick up a win.

Golden State (10-9) leads the WNBA in opposing shooting percentage (39.9 percent entering the game) and did nothing to hurt that mark in holding Indiana to a season-low 30.9 percent (21-for-68). After Indiana opened the game with a 23-14 lead, Golden State went on a 33-9 run that encompassed the end of the first quarter, the entire second quarter, and the beginning of the third quarter.

The Valkyries held Indiana to just nine second-quarter points, and after Indiana pulled within 55-50 on a Makayla Timpson jumper with 2:58 to go in the third quarter, Golden State went on another 9-0 run to pull away.

The Valkyries were led by Veronica Burton, who drained 5-of-6 3-point tries on her way to 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. All-Star Kayla Thornton added 18 points and eight boards.

Golden State improved to 9-0 on the season when holding its opponent under 80 points. This was only the second time all season that Indiana scored under 75 points.

Indiana (9-10) did not gain much of a boost from Clark's return, as the star's 10 points came via 4-for-12 shooting. Clark did dish out six assists. Fellow All-Star Kelsey Mitchell added 12 points on just 3-for-13 shooting. Timpson chipped in 10 points off the bench for the Fever.

Indiana opened the game shooting 8-for-17 while building up a 23-14 lead but shot just 13-for-51 over the game's final 32 minutes.

Indiana will return to action by hosting the Atlanta Dream on Friday, while Golden State will play at the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.

--Field Level Media