Indiana Fever beat Dallas Wings as Caitlin Clark outduels Paige Bueckers
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers both scored 29 points as the Indiana Fever defeated a shorthanded Dallas Wings 98-87 in Indianapolis on Friday night.
The third-year guard also registered 10 assists to secure her seventh game this season with at least 25 points and 10 assists.
This remarkable feat extends her own WNBA career record to 13 such games, cementing her status as one of the league’s elite playmakers.
Penetrating the Dallas defence with ease, the former Iowa standout scored or assisted on 51% of Indiana’s total points.
‘Like a maestro’ commanding the floor
Fever head coach Stephanie White was quick to praise her star point guard’s offensive mastery.
“She’s like a maestro, the way that she really runs our offense,” White said.
“I’m in awe watching CC play; sometimes it’s like it’s normal, and it’s not,” added Indiana guard Ty Harris.
Despite the final scoreline, the opening half was a tightly contested, low-scoring affair with the Wings holding a slender 37-35 advantage at the interval.
Future US teammates trade blows
The contest truly ignited in the third quarter when the two former number one overall draft picks exchanged relentless scoring sequences.
Thrilling a sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the dynamic duo combined for 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting during the third period alone.
Both players will soon put their domestic rivalry aside to share a backcourt for the United States senior national team at the FIBA World Cup in Berlin next month.
The standout Dallas guard matched her rival’s offensive output while also contributing six assists and six rebounds for the depleted visitors.
Fever surge late to seal victory
The Fever playmaker was highly complimentary of her soon-to-be international teammate’s fluid performance on the night.
“Paige is a tremendous player,” Clark said. “She takes what the defense gives her, she doesn’t force anything, she’s smooth.”
However, Indiana managed to stifle the Dallas offensive threat in the final 10 minutes, outscoring their opponents 35-21 in the fourth quarter to pull away.
Wings head coach Jose Fernandez labelled his team’s second-half defensive display as “inexcusable” after they conceded 63 points following the break.