Fans are talking about Caitlin Clark as her early WNBA career continues
From hype to skeptics, Kaitlin Clark turned the WNBA on its head and we talked to Fever fans about the basketball star.
Caitlin Clark scored 20 points and had nine assists, but the Indiana Fever lost again on Thursday night, beating the Seattle Storm 103-88.
Five Storm players scored in double figures in the win, led by Jewell Lloyd’s 22. Nalyssa Smith (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Aliyah Boston (11 points, 12 rebounds) both had double-doubles for Indiana, but the Fever allowed Seattle to shoot. 56.0% from the field for the game which resulted in the loss. Indiana (1-8) remains near the bottom of the WNBA standings; Only the Washington Mystics (0-7) are worse.
After a scoreless first quarter, Clark shined, scoring 12 points in the second half. That included two 3s, the second of which caused a small altercation between Clark and Seattle’s Victoria Vivians.
After Clark drained a 32-footer to bring Indiana within six and 34-28, Clark and Vivians bumped into each other and exchanged words. Clark was clearly angry about something Vivians said, but Boston was quick to separate the two before anything got too crazy. However, both players suffered technical fouls, Clark’s third of the season (the most in the league).
Clark also grabbed three rebounds and blocked one shot — Indiana’s team leader for the season, with 10 total — but also committed seven turnovers. As a team, Indiana threw the ball 13 times, leading to Seattle’s 22 points. The Storm also controlled the Fever in the paint, outscoring Indiana 56-34.
The Fever was shorthanded Thursday, missing two starters. Striker Timmy Fagbenle will miss two to three weeks due to a left foot injury, and goalkeeper Erica Wheeler also missed the match for personal reasons.
Fever coach Christy Sides was also up late in the third quarter, fuming after Clark drove and missed a tough shot inside. There was a lot of contact – Clark fell to the ground – and there was no foul play.
