In the Indiana Fever's triumphant return, Caitlin Clark surpasses the record for speediest WNBA player to accumulate 300 assists, accomplishing this feat alongside a double-double performance.
The 22-year-old notched 26 points and dished out 12 assists, along with 5 boards, in the Fever's triumphant comeback, achieving her 14th double-double of the year, setting a team record. She sunk 4 three-pointers, boosting her season tally to 111, breaking the novice record she claimed at the end of August.
Clark's performance was a standout night for the last three WNBA No.1 draft picks. The 2023 No.1 pick, Aliyah Boston, led the Fever in scoring with a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Dream's Rhyne Howard, picked first in 2022, scored 36 points.
Indiana faced challenges throughout the game, committing 12 turnovers to Atlanta's one by halftime. The Dream established a 16-point lead with roughly 7 minutes left in the third quarter, but the Fever responded with an 18-5 run, reducing the gap to 3 points heading into the final quarter.
Atlanta expanded their lead to 9 points in the fourth, but Indiana clawed back, with Boston scoring off Clark's 10th assist, tying the game at 90 with 18 seconds remaining. Overtime was necessary to decide the winner, with Clark sealing the game for Indiana with two free throws in the last moments, placing them at 19-17 on the season.
"We just kept chipping away, secured stops when needed, and the crowd was fantastic and helped us win," Clark stated postgame.
The Fever secured their playoff spot on September 3, marking their return to the postseason since 2016.
"Right now, we're just focusing on maintaining our pace," Boston commented. "We're aware of our capability to beat any team, thanks to our playing style, speed, and the talent we have on the court. Even if we're trailing, no matter the game time, we're more than capable of coming back."
The defeat was a setback for the Dream's hopes of securing the league's 8th playoff spot. Atlanta stands at 12-23 and is placed ninth in the overall WNBA standings, one game behind the Chicago Sky.
Tina Charles and Jordin Canada scored 17 points each for the Dream, while Allisha Gray was their fourth double-digit scorer with 15 points.
Full WNBA results for September 8
Away Team vs. Home Team (winning teams in bold)
Minnesota Lynx 78-71 Washington Mystics
Atlanta Dream 100-104 Indiana Fever
Las Vegas Aces 71-75 New York Liberty
Dallas Wings 77-92 Chicago Sky
Connecticut Sun 79-67 Los Angeles Sparks
Clark's postgame statement emphasized the importance of their team's resilience and the crowd's impact, stating, "We just kept chipping away, secured stops when needed, and the crowd was fantastic, helping us win." In her outstanding performance, Clark set a new team record with her 112th three-pointer of the season, surpassing the previous novice record she had broken earlier in the year.
