45 points and 10 assists to set a new career high and franchise record to boot would see a player overjoyed. Add in a clutch block and a three-pointer to virtually seal the game with seconds left, and it becomes even more memorable. But not for Caitlin Clark. The star guard looked back at the Fever’s 110-107 win over the Storm and was already critically analyzing the holes in her game.
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“I had an embarrassing performance on the defensive end; I’ll be honest. We really got to find a way to be better, and I think we can simplify things a little bit and make it easier on ourselves,” Clark told Kelsie Kasper during the post-game interview.
“But as you said, we came up with big stops when we needed it. I’m proud of our group. We got some big rebounds.”
One of the plays Clark referred to may have been in the fourth quarter. With a minute left on the clock, the game was tied at 102-102. Flau’jae Johnson drove to the rim for a crucial lay-up, but Clark had other plans. She blocked Johnson and then hit a clutch three at the other end to put the Fever ahead. The play punctuated the hard-fought game the Fever guard produced, but did it need to have been so close?
Based on the opening quarter, not many would have envisioned it. The Fever led 37-26 and went on an insane run in the first three minutes of the second. With 7:29 left, Clark sank a three to take the score to 49-32. It was this three that saw Clark break Katie Smith’s record for the least number of games to make 200 three-pointers.
The basket also marked the Fever’s 17th point in that 2:31 stretch, with Seattle just adding six. The Storm scored 24 of the next 34 points to close the half just three behind.
Clark’s brilliance is masking a bigger problem
This game against the Storm was the ninth time this season that the Fever have conceded 100+ points, which is more than any other team in the league. They have gone 2-7 in these games and currently rank 11th in points conceded per game at 89. However, only part of that can be attributed to their fast-paced play style.
In this game without Aliyah Boston, the defensive frailty was even more evident. The Storm shot 57% from the field and scored 66 points in the paint, and the Fever lost the battle on the boards, 35-26. The size disparity was also evident with Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam having a field day around the rim.
In fact, it was Caitlin Clark who carried them against the Storm with a record-breaking performance. Besides breaking Smith’s record of 81 by seven games, Clark also became the first player to score 40+ points and drop 10+ dimes.
Her effort at Gainbridge Fieldhouse also saw her break Kelsey Mitchell’s franchise record. She initially set it in 2019 before equaling it last season against the Sun.
When Kasper informed Clark about it, she gave a slight chuckle and had a smile before showcasing her team-first mindset over individual accolades.
“It’s cool. I don’t really care. I know what I’m capable of, and I know what this team’s capable of. And it’s my job to help us win and be the best team in the WNBA. I don’t think we’re there yet, so it’s my responsibility to get us there.”
The team’s defensive performance in Boston’s absence may have been a catalyst for the manner of her post-game comments.
Even with Boston on defense, the team hasn’t always succeeded, and their July 16 loss against the Golden State Valkyries showed that. With Clark not at her best, Golden State showed why they are leading the league with only 76.1 points allowed per game, winning the clash 88-75.
As Clark suggested, they could make things less complicated, as the Fever has adopted a heavy switching style this season. They could move away from that to avoid communication breakdowns. This is not a sustainable way to win games, and unless they solve their defensive woes, the Indiana Fever will not be a true contender.