Caitlin Clark scored 27 points and added 15 assists to help the Indiana Fever defeat the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces 99-89 on Tuesday, keeping their postseason hopes alive. The victory evened the best-of-three series at 1-1, with Game 3 scheduled for Thursday in Las Vegas.
Historic first-half performance
Clark became the first player in league history to record a points-assists double-double in the first half of a playoff game, tallying 14 points and 11 assists in the opening 20 minutes. Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points as the crowd chanted “M-V-P” throughout the contest.
Indiana coach Stephanie White praised Clark’s all-around effort. “I thought her energy from start to finish – I mean a double-double in the first half – was pretty incredible,” White said. “The way she moved the ball, attacked from multiple positions ... You always expect to be able to make shots and facilitate. But I thought how she managed the game was really good and her defensive energy I thought was terrific. It’s what we need from her.”
Fourth-quarter confrontation
The game was marred by a fourth-quarter incident between a fan and four-time league MVP A’ja Wilson. The two appeared to be pointing and shouting at one another after Sophie Cunningham drew a foul. Wilson walked toward the seats, and two teammates, an assistant coach and security intervened to separate the scrum.
“If I see a man come at me, taking steps towards me and pointing at me ... I don’t give a damn what you said ... That is unacceptable … I’m not for that shit,” Wilson said after the game. Speaking to Aces coach Becky Hammon, Wilson added: “No way he does that to LeBron [James].”
Technical foul and aftermath
Wilson was assessed a technical foul for stepping off the court but was not ejected. The man was escorted out by security but was allowed to return because the Fever said he did not violate the fan code of conduct policy.
“I didn’t exactly see what happened, I kind of saw the aftermath,” Hammon said. “I’ve never A’ja Wilson go like that so whatever was done I can tell you she felt very disrespected in that moment. I’ve never seen her really react like that ever, so whatever it was, it doesn’t have any place, I don’t think in an arena.”
The incident seemed to motivate Las Vegas, who were trailing 90-79 when it happened at the 4:10 mark. When Clark fouled out with 2:45 to play, the Aces got as close as 92-87, but the Fever managed to hold on.
“The way I looked at it, your back’s up against the wall,” Clark said. “This is the only opportunity you’re guaranteed to have is these 40 minutes, and you know you’re going to go down swinging if you’re going to lose. But I think we had the mentality like this was one we were going to win, no matter what and do it for our fans.”
