Caitlin Clark was influential for the Indiana Fever as her team claimed a 81-74 win over the Minnesota Lynx. After a difficult start to the season, the Fever are now well in the playoffs race at 11-14. Following the game, Clark reaffirmed her Olympics ambitions after she was left off the team for the upcoming Paris Games. Meanwhile, A’Ja Wilson continued her dominant form for the Las Vegas Aces.
Caitlin Clark posted 17 points and six assists to help the Indiana Fever claim back-to-back wins and stay in the WNBA playoff race.
The Fever took down the Minnesota Lynx 81-74 to win their third game in their last four and improve to 11-14 for the season.
Kelsey Mitchell led the scoring for the Fever with 21 points, while Aliyah Boston’s 17 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and four blocks was huge down the stretch as the Fever finished strong to secure another victory.
Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton did the bulk of the scoring for the Lynx with 18 and 17 points respectively, while a late Kayla McBride three-pointer kept the home side in it, but the Fever managed to hang on to what was a comfortable win in the end.
Speaking after the game, Clark – in what was her first WNBA game in Minneapolis against a Lynx team coached by Cheryl Reeve, the leader of the US women’s national team – said the Olympics are still a “dream” after she was controversially left off the side for this year’s Games in Paris.
“That’s what you dream of as a young kid, getting to represent your country,” Clark said. “And, obviously, me and [Boston] having the experience of playing for the junior national team, we know how fun that is and how cool that is to wear ‘USA’ across your chests.”
However, she said she remains focused on continuing to grow as a player.
“It gives you something to work for, something to dream for. Also, I feel like I can continue to get a lot better and for me, that’s my main focus and that’s what excites me the most going forward.”
Ahead of the game, Reeve refused to discuss Clark’s omission from the Olympics team.
“Why the hell would I answer a national team question?” Reeve said. “I’m wearing Lynx. And I’m the head coach of the national team, but I’m not the chair of the committee.”
WILSON MAKES HISTORY ONCE AGAIN
A’Ja Wilson made history once again as the Las Vegas Aces claimed their fourth victory in a row.
Ariel Atkins’ game-high 36 points wasn’t enough for the Washington Mystics as the Aces claimed a comfortable 89-77 win.
Two-time MVP Wilson continued her dominant season with 28 points and 17 rebounds, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record three straight games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Kelsey Plum was also big for the Aces with 22 points as the Aces improved to a 16-7 record.
In the other game on the night, the Connecticut Sun thrashed the Phoenix Mercury to claim their 18th win of the season.
Rachel Banham was on fire from deep all game with 24 points, going eight-from-11 from the three-point line.
Meanwhile, Ezi Magbegor scored 18 points, Jordan Horston added 16 and Nneka Ogwumike posted a double-double as the Seattle Storm saw off the Atlanta Dream 81-70.
Seattle claimed their 16th win of the season, while Atlanta suffered their seventh straight loss.
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