Caitlin Clark Leads Fever Past Lynx 96-77 to Keep Home-Court Hopes Alive/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Caitlin Clark finished with 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 96-77. Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points, extending her WNBA record to 27 consecutive games with at least 20. Indiana preserved its slim chance of earning first-round home-court advantage, while Minnesota secured the playoffs’ No. 1 seed.
Quick Look
- Final score: Indiana Fever 96, Minnesota Lynx 77.
- Caitlin Clark recorded 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
- Clark also collected four steals and made three 3-pointers.
- Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points and extended her WNBA record.
- Mitchell has scored at least 20 points in 27 consecutive games.
- Aliyah Boston contributed 17 points and seven rebounds.
- Chloe Bibby led Minnesota with 15 points, all from 3-point range.
- Rookie Olivia Miles missed the game with a left calf injury.
- Indiana kept its hopes of earning the No. 4 playoff seed alive.
- Minnesota clinched the No. 1 seed despite the loss.
Deep Look
Clark Powers Indiana to Crucial Victory
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark delivered a strong all-around performance as the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 on Tuesday night, keeping their narrow hopes of securing home-court advantage in the opening round of the WNBA playoffs alive.
Clark finished with 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. She also contributed four steals and connected on three shots from beyond the arc.
Indiana’s victory ensured the team would remain in contention for the No. 4 playoff seed for at least one more day.
Mitchell Extends WNBA Scoring Record
Kelsey Mitchell added 20 points to her record-setting season, reaching the milestone with a 3-pointer during the final minutes.
Mitchell has now scored 20 or more points in 27 consecutive games, extending her WNBA record.
Her streak has accompanied a historic offensive season in which she also broke the league’s single-season scoring record.
Mitchell entered the Minnesota game after receiving a surprise locker-room celebration from her teammates for setting the season mark.
Boston Strengthens Fever’s Three-Star Performance
Aliyah Boston completed Indiana’s productive scoring trio with 17 points and seven rebounds.
Clark, Mitchell and Boston combined for 64 of the Fever’s 96 points, giving Indiana the offensive balance it needed against the league’s top team.
Monique Billings also contributed during a decisive fourth-quarter sequence, making two free throws as the Fever regained control after Minnesota’s reserves had significantly reduced the deficit.
Lynx Clinch No. 1 Playoff Seed Despite Loss
Although Minnesota lost by 19 points, the Lynx still secured the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs.
Golden State’s overtime loss to Portland on Tuesday ensured Minnesota would finish with the league’s best playoff position.
The Lynx will have home-court advantage throughout the postseason as they pursue a championship.
Indiana, meanwhile, remained in a crowded playoff race in which several teams were competing for positioning and first-round home games.
Olivia Miles Sidelined by Calf Injury
Minnesota played without star rookie Olivia Miles, who was scratched shortly before the game because of an injured left calf.
Miles recently broke Clark’s WNBA single-season rookie scoring record. She set the new mark during Minnesota’s victory over Connecticut on Sunday.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said she had considered holding Miles out of that game and that the team would evaluate the calf injury daily.
Miles’ absence was evident as Minnesota struggled to match Indiana’s early offensive pace.
Reeve Limits Starters After Indiana’s Fast Start
Reeve kept most of Minnesota’s regular starters on the bench for the final 2½ quarters.
The coach chose not to risk additional injuries after the Fever established a commanding first-half advantage.
The decision gave Minnesota’s reserves extended playing time and allowed several players to lead a comeback attempt during the third quarter.
Chloe Bibby led the Lynx with 15 points, scoring all of them on five 3-pointers. Liatu King added 12 points.
Fever Dominate Opening Quarter
Indiana seized control by closing the first quarter with a 14-2 run.
That surge gave the Fever a 31-16 advantage entering the second period.
Indiana quickly extended the margin to 38-18 and continued pulling away. The Fever’s lead reached 29 points at 57-28 during the first half.
Clark controlled the offense as both a scorer and facilitator, while Mitchell and Boston consistently converted their opportunities.
Minnesota’s Reserves Mount Third-Quarter Rally
Despite the large deficit, Minnesota’s reserve players gradually worked their way back into the game.
The Lynx reduced Indiana’s advantage to single digits late in the third quarter. Aari McDonald drove past a defender for an uncontested layup that cut the score to 71-64 entering the final period.
Minnesota moved within eight points at 74-66 with 8:15 remaining, putting Indiana under pressure after the Fever had appeared to be cruising toward an easy victory.
Fever Respond With Decisive Closing Run
Indiana stopped the comeback before Minnesota could make it a one-possession game.
Billings made two free throws before Clark, Mitchell and Boston each scored, producing an 8-0 response that restored the Fever’s advantage to 82-66.
Minnesota could not recover, and Indiana pulled away during the closing minutes to complete the 96-77 victory.
The win allowed the Fever to rebound from their 93-77 loss to the Washington Mystics in their previous game.
Fever and Lynx Meet Again in Finale
The teams will face each other again Thursday in Minnesota in their regular-season finale.
Minnesota will host the rematch knowing it has already secured the No. 1 playoff seed.
Indiana will enter the game still focused on improving its playoff position and pursuing the No. 4 seed, depending on results elsewhere in the league.
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