Iowa star Caitlin Clark confronts setbacks due to injury as Fever surge, ascend in rankings with Storm's struggle.
In a thrilling WNBA matchup on Tuesday, August 16, the Indiana Fever clinched a playoff spot after defeating the Seattle Storm, snapping their three-game winning streak. The win also marked a three-game season sweep for Indiana, pushing them past both the Storm and the Golden State Valkyries into sixth place in the WNBA standings.
The Fever's victory was fueled by a stellar performance from several players. Brittney Sykes contributed 12 points, while Skylar Diggins dished out eight assists. Lexie Hull collected nine rebounds, and Odyssey Sims added 22 points to the team's total.
However, the star of the show was Kelsey Mitchell, who scored a game-high 21 points. Not to be outshone, Nneka Ogwumike scored 17 points for Seattle, with 12 of them coming before halftime.
The Fever's impressive first-half shooting form continued, as they were 6 of 11 from 3-point range. However, they cooled down in the second half, converting only 6 of 17 attempts from beyond the arc.
The game was a significant one for Nike, who announced Caitlin Clark as their newest signature athlete. Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, has averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 13 games. Unfortunately, Clark has been sidelined since July 15 due to a strained right groin. No return timeline has been provided, and whether she returns in time for Indiana's playoff push remains uncertain.
Stephanie White, the Fever's head coach, has stressed that Clark still has multiple hurdles to clear before returning to game action. White wants to see Clark in practice, live in practice, and handle contact, as it will be in-game. Moreover, White wants to ensure that Clark can sustain this level of performance and there's no regression.
The Fever have had their fair share of injuries this season, with Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham, and Aari McDonald ruled out for the year. Despite these setbacks, the team has shown resilience and determination, securing their playoff spot with this crucial win.
As the WNBA season enters its final stages, the race for playoff positions is heating up. The top eight teams will advance to the WNBA playoffs, and with their latest victory, the Indiana Fever are well-positioned to make a strong run.
