Additional Coverage:
- Caitlin Clark buries clutch 31-foot jumper with time running out to give Indiana Fever 78-76 win (foxnews.com)
The Indiana Fever and star guard Caitlin Clark have faced a challenging start to the 2026 WNBA season. After missing most of 2025, Clark entered the year with high expectations to recapture her rookie-season brilliance. While she began strongly-scoring over 20 points in each of the first five games-her performance has since become inconsistent.
Clark showed flashes of her potential, including a 22-point, nine-assist outing against the Golden State Valkyries with an impressive 44% shooting from beyond the arc. However, turnovers and scoring droughts followed, highlighted by just six points in a May 30 loss to the Portland Fire.
A recent defeat to the New York Liberty further illustrated her struggles, as she managed only 10 points on poor shooting percentages, alongside multiple turnovers and fouls. Still, she contributed in other ways, adding nine assists and seven rebounds.
Leading up to Monday’s game, Clark’s shooting woes persisted, converting only 14 of 50 field goal attempts and 6 of 22 from three-point range over recent matches. With the Fever holding a 5-5 record, the clash against the Washington Mystics was a pivotal chance to regain momentum-and Clark delivered.
She started with a strong first quarter, scoring 10 points and hitting two of five three-pointers. Despite limited minutes in the second quarter, she made an impressive assist to Myisha Hines-Allen.
The second half saw Clark flash her signature scoring ability, including a contested 25-foot jumper that resulted in a rare four-point play. Although the Mystics fought back to narrow the gap late in the game, Clark’s clutch playmaking shone through.
After a missed pair of crucial free throws, she set up Aliyah Boston with a pinpoint half-court pass and later sank a dramatic 31-foot game-winning shot.
Clark finished the game with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting, four three-pointers made, five assists, and a steal-marking a significant step toward regaining her form. With the victory, the Fever improved to 6-5 as they prepare to face the Chicago Sky on Thursday.