Caitlin Clark had 20 points and nine assists, but the Indiana Fever suffered another blowout loss at home to the Seattle Storm on Thursday night, 103-88.
Five Storm players contributed to the win, scoring in double figures led by Jewel Loyd’s 22 points. Indiana’s Nalyssa Smith (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Aaliyah Boston (11 points, 12 rebounds) recorded double-doubles, but the Fever held Seattle to 56.0 percent shooting from the field in the loss. Indiana (1-8) remains near the bottom of the WNBA standings, with only the Washington Mystics (0-7) finishing worse than Indiana.
After a scoreless first quarter, Clark came on strong in the second quarter, scoring 12 points, including two 3-pointers, the second of which sparked a bit of fuss between Clark and Seattle’s Victoria Vivians.
After Clark drained a 32-footer to put Indiana up by six, 34-28, Clark and Vivians collided and got into an altercation. Clark was clearly infuriated by Vivians’ comments, but Boston quickly separated the two before things escalated. Both players received technical fouls, Clark’s third of the season (the most in the league).
Clarke grabbed three rebounds and blocked one shot. She tied Indiana’s team-high for blocks with 10 this season, but also committed seven turnovers. As a team, Indiana lost the ball 13 times, leading to Seattle’s 22 points. The Storm also outplayed the Fever in the paint, outshooting Indiana, 56-34.
The Fever were short on personnel on Thursday, without two starters: forward Temi Fagbenle is out for two to three weeks with a left foot injury and guard Erica Wheeler missed the game for personal reasons.
Fever coach Christy Sides was also called for a touchdown late in the third quarter after she was angry that Clark had driven and missed a difficult shot. There was a lot of contact and Clark fell to the ground, but no foul was called.
