Caitlin Clark looked rested and fresh after a month off in her first game since watching Team USA win Olympic gold. The rookie star scored 27 points with five rebounds and 10 assists in leading the Indiana Fever to a 98–89 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.
Indiana’s backcourt carried the night with Kelsey Mitchell tallying 28 points and shooting 6-for-13 on 3-pointers. Aliyah Boston added 14 points, followed by NaLyssa Smith‘s 13. Both players grabbed nine rebounds.
The Mercury initially looked tired, which would have been understandable while playing the second of back-to-back games to resume the WNBA season. Phoenix played on Thursday, getting an 85–65 win over the Chicago Sky. And the team also had three starters play in last Sunday’s gold medal game for the U.S. women’s basketball team at the Paris Olympics.
However, after trailing by 28 points (45–20) with six minutes remaining before halftime, the Mercury fought back to cut their deficit to one point (65–66) with one minute left in the third quarter. Indiana held onto its lead and kept Phoenix at bay through the fourth, maintaining at least a five-point margin before opening it back up to double digits.
Kahleah Copper continued her standout performance from the Olympic gold medal game, following up Thursday’s 29-point effort with 32 points against the Fever, along with eight rebounds and six assists. The nine-year veteran made 18-of-19 free throws.
Natasha Cloud scored 19 points for Phoenix, while also getting into a scuffle with Mitchell during the third quarter. Diana Taurasi added 16. With the loss, the Mercury’s record dropped to 14–13 with a 6–9 mark on the road. Phoenix lost all three of its games versus the Fever this season.
Indiana improves its record to 12–15 (7–5 at home) and next play the Seattle Storm on Sunday. Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ABC. Also on Sunday, the Mercury host the Sky at 9 p.m. ET.
