INDIANAPOLIS — Coming into Friday’s matchup towards the Atlanta Dream, the Indiana Fever had been determined for a confidence-boosting win, notably coming off Wednesday’s 19-point loss to the Golden State Valkyries that guard Kelsey Mitchell deemed a “butt-whooping.”
Indiana bought the bounce-back it hoped for: The Fever cruised to a 99-82 dub over the fifth-place Dream — a bunch who’d been a tough matchup for them earlier this season — to get again to .500 (10-10) with three video games left earlier than the All-Star break.
After bemoaning their inconsistency earlier this week, the Fever showcased the offensive firepower that, with a wholesome Caitlin Clark and when firing on all cylinders collectively, makes them some of the potent squads within the league. Indiana’s 59 second-half factors marked probably the most factors the franchise has scored in any half this season and had been tied for his or her most in any half within the final seven seasons. Their 99 whole factors mirrored their second-best scoring output on the season, whereas their 11 3-pointers had been tied for his or her second-most in a sport this yr.
“I believed we simply performed with a extremely nice tempo,” Clark informed ESPN. “We moved the ball, we lower exhausting, which opened up the 3-point line for us, after which we knocked down some photographs, but additionally I believed our protection was actually good. I believe it was each side of the ball. It type of felt like how we should always get again on the market and play each single sport.”
“Our workforce has sufficient offensive threats that we should always have 5 to 6 individuals in double-figures each single night time after we transfer the ball,” added Sophie Cunningham, who completed with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. “When the ball is popping, we’re a extremely exhausting workforce to protect.”
In her second sport again from a five-game absence with a groin damage, Clark completed with simply 12 factors on 5 for 17 capturing (1 for 7 from 3) however was most happy with how she directed the offense, the place she chipped in 9 of their 27 assists on 35 made photographs.
“I do know [my shot] is true there and it will fall, however I believed truthfully that is in all probability probably the greatest video games the place I’ve simply managed the complete tempo of the sport and managed the way in which we have to play, particularly within the second half, took care of the ball very well,” Clark stated. “I believed I used to be only a actually good flooring normal tonight, and I believe that is one thing I may be extra happy with than making photographs. That is precisely what this workforce wanted.”
Clark — who moreover missed 5 video games in Could/June with a quad situation — is now 4 for 35 on 3-pointers in her final 5 video games (three of which had been in June, previous to being sidelined with damage). That 11.4% clip is the worst 3-point subject aim proportion over a five-game span in WNBA historical past (minimal 35 makes an attempt). The star guard, whose 3-point capturing has lengthy been an indicator of her sport, confirmed some frustration all through the night as she struggled to transform from deep. However when she was not discovering her teammates, she additionally discovered success attacking the rim towards Atlanta’s strain.
“I am not nervous about Caitlin’s shot,” coach Stephanie White stated. “She’s recovering from damage. She performs heavy, exhausting minutes. Each defensive scout, she’s the highest of the scouting report. So her shot high quality that she’s getting has not been nice. We’re simply so used to her making robust photographs, and to have the ability to try this whereas she’s recovering from damage goes to be harder. That is a part of the explanation that we need to attempt to make her life simpler.
“For her to remain affected person … we simply have to assist navigate her personal frustration. She’s a perfectionist, as most elite gamers are, and she or he wants to have the ability to give herself grace in these moments.”
Atlanta (12-8) had a lot of the momentum early, buoyed by a scorching capturing night time from veteran guard Jordin Canada. Canada caught fireplace within the first half, the place she knocked down six of her 9 3s and went into the locker room with 26 factors — each of which had been already career-highs. Although the Dream led by as many as seven within the third quarter, Indiana kicked its offense to a different gear because the body went on, outscoring Atlanta 39-19 and hitting 56% of its photographs within the ultimate 13:37 of the sport.
“We had been just a little bit lackadaisical in our box-outs and allowed them to get second-chance alternatives,” Canada stated. “And within the fourth quarter, we simply miscommunicated on plenty of issues. It began within the third quarter and simply continued into the fourth quarter and we weren’t in a position to alter like we should always have.”
Added Brittney Griner: “Each possession issues. These little lapses that we had… they are a good workforce and so they capitalized on it. If we play like this towards any workforce within the league, you realize that is the end result.”
The Fever stated doubling down defensively helped gasoline their offense. As a part of that, they slowed down Canada, who managed simply 4 factors within the second half.
“I believe when the ball pings and we get to 2 and three sides, you get to see extra of who we’re,” stated Kelsey Mitchell, who paced the workforce with 25 factors. “And I believe that is tied with how efficient our protection may be.”
Making an attempt to construct consistency will stay a spotlight for the Fever coming into the ultimate sport of their present five-game homestand, through which they’ve gone 2-2. The Dallas Wings, led by 2025 No.1 choose Paige Bueckers, come to city for a Sunday afternoon tilt on ABC.
“That is [our second game] with our entire roster, with everybody in our rotation,” White stated. “I believe constructing consistency in habits for us, persevering with to work consistency in rotation, now that [Clark]’s again, now that [Damiris Dantas]’s again, what does it seem like…it is one sport, it was a giant one, we wanted it, however we have got to proceed to stack days and construct on it.”