Indiana Fever lose to Washington Mystics in overtime despite Caitlin Clark’s 32
Caitlin Clark scored 32 points and hit a late three-pointer to force overtime, but the Indiana Fever ultimately suffered a 104-102 defeat against the Washington Mystics in Indianapolis.
The former number one draft pick overcame a sluggish start to deliver a masterful 17-point fourth quarter and erase a nine-point deficit.
With just 3.1 seconds remaining in regulation, the superstar guard sprinted off a handoff to drain a crucial triple and send the contest into an extra period.
Finding form from beyond the arc
Entering Friday’s matchup, the two-time All-Star had struggled with her outside shooting, making just three of her first 16 attempts across the opening two games of the new campaign.
Those woes initially continued against Washington as she shot a dismal two-for-15 from the field over the first three quarters.
However, the point guard completely transformed her rhythm in the final 10 minutes, sinking five three-pointers to finish the night with eight assists and four rebounds alongside her impressive scoring tally.
“I think I started hesitating a little bit and probably hesitated a little bit to start the season,” said Clark.
“I don’t need to do that; I’m best when I’m just letting it fly.”
Defensive frailties continue to plague Indiana
Despite the sensational individual comeback, the hosts were unable to secure the victory as their defensive vulnerabilities were repeatedly exposed.
Indiana have now conceded over 100 points in two of their first three fixtures, dropping to a 1-2 record for the season.
“We’ve been letting making shots dictate how well we played defence too much,” the Fever talisman admitted following the loss.
Head coach Stephanie White echoed those sentiments, highlighting the unsustainable pressure placed on her squad’s attacking output.
“We put a lot of pressure on our offence to be perfect when we don’t consistently defend,” stated White.
Youthful Mystics show their potential
On the opposite side of the court, Washington proved they will be a formidable opponent this year despite boasting the youngest roster in the league.
Sonia Citron delivered a career-best performance, racking up 30 points, six rebounds, and four assists to guide the visitors to a crucial away win.
She was expertly supported by Kiki Iriafen, who dominated the paint with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
First-round draft pick Cotie McMahon also made an immediate impact, contributing 13 points and five rebounds during a highly promising professional debut.