Caitlin Clark totaled 32 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds in a spectacular return from a left quad harm on Saturday main the Indiana Fever to a 102-88 victory over the New York Liberty, snapping their season-opening nine-game successful streak.
After lacking 5 video games, Clark scored 25 factors within the first half to assist Indiana (5-5) rally from an early 11-point deficit. Clark made 11-of-20 pictures and tied a profession excessive by hitting seven 3s, together with a number of from effectively past the arc.
Clark completed with the second-most factors in her profession and three shy of her career-high (35) set Sept. 15 towards the Dallas Wings. Clark scored 14 within the first quarter, together with three 3s within the ultimate 86 seconds after the Fever trailed by 11.
Clark helped the Fever surge forward within the third by hitting a layup, her ultimate 3 and two free throws for a 72-59 lead with 3:43 left
Clark had assist from her supporting forged as Kelsey Mitchell added 10 of her 22 factors within the fourth quarter, together with a 3 that upped the result in 99-84 lead with 2:12 left.
Lexie Hull added 14 and Aliyah Boston contributed a double-double of 10 factors and 11 rebounds because the Fever prevented the Liberty from changing into the fourth crew in WNBA historical past from opening with 10 straight wins. Indiana shot 48.1 % from the sphere and hit 17 of 35 3-point tries.
Sabrina Ionescu scored 34 on 11-of-20 capturing and Breanna Stewart added 24 however the Liberty (9-1) had been outscored 78-62 after the opening quarter. New York shot 42.3 % total and had been 6-of-29 from 3-point vary.
After getting a technical foul, Clark hit a 20-footer and her sixth 3 to increase the result in 49-43 with 2:23 left and the Fever settled for a 53-50 edge at halftime after Ionescu sank a 34-foot 3 with 4 seconds left.
Two free throws by New York’s Natasha Cloud opened with a 59-53 lead with 7:31 left within the third. Indiana roared again with 19 straight factors earlier than taking a 80-71 lead into the fourth.
New York used a 14-2 run to shut inside 80-76 on a basket by Marine Johannes with 8:28 left. Mitchell’s jumper gave Indiana an 85-78 lead with 6:42 left and he or she hit a 3 over Stewart for a 93-82 lead with 4:34 left.
–Discipline Degree Media
