Additional Coverage:
- Caitlin Clark has career-high 31 points, 12 assists as Fever beat Sky 100-81 despite Reese record (newsbreak.com)
In Chicago, Caitlin Clark put on a stellar performance, scoring a personal best of 31 points along with 12 assists, as the Indiana Fever triumphed over the Chicago Sky with a decisive 100-81 victory last Friday night. This marked Clark’s 11th double-double of the season, as she impressively became the only player to log three games with at least 25 points and 10 assists in one season.
Clark’s counterpart, rookie Angel Reese, also had a notable night despite the loss, achieving her 23rd double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, setting a new rookie record for the Chicago team and surpassing former achievement records.
The game was significant for the Fever (16-16), winning three out of four encounters against the Sky (11-20) this season, enhancing their playoff prospects while the Sky struggles to maintain their position.
The match, held at Wintrust Arena, attracted a full house of 9,445 fans, partly due to the “Barbie Night” event, referencing Reese’s nickname from her college days. Notable attendees included NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, former WNBA star Sue Bird, and soccer icon Megan Rapinoe.
Kelsey Mitchell contributed significantly to the Fever’s win with 23 points, marking her sixth consecutive game scoring at least 20 points. Teammates NaLyssa Smith and Lexie Hull added 14 and 11 points respectively, with the team showcasing a strong offensive strategy.
Despite being outrebounded 42-31 by Chicago, Indiana managed an efficient game with a 48.5% shooting accuracy and scored 28 points in the paint.
Chicago’s Michaela Onyenwere led her team with 20 points, but their performance wasn’t enough to overcome the absence of key player Chennedy Carter and to recover from recent losses following the Olympic break.
The game had its tense moments, especially after a dominant start by Chicago, but strategic plays and a solid defensive effort in the later quarters helped the Fever maintain and extend their lead, concluding with a strong finish despite Chicago’s late push.