In a thrilling Sunday showdown, Caitlin Clark delivered a standout performance, propelling the Indiana Fever to a 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings. Clark’s 28 points and 12 assists were instrumental in securing the win, which marked a significant milestone for the Fever—pushing them over .500 for the first time in five years. The victory improved Indiana’s record to 17-16, ending an astonishing WNBA-record streak of 189 consecutive games without a winning record, as confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Fever’s triumph was not without its challenges. Dallas Wings’ star Arike Ogunbowale put on a shooting clinic, tying a league record with nine 3-pointers. Ogunbowale finished the game with 34 points, beating her previous career-best of seven 3s. Despite her impressive performance, including tying her career-high with eight rebounds, the Wings fell short. Ogunbowale missed two critical attempts to set a new record with a 10th 3-pointer, including one in the final minute with Dallas trailing by six.
Kelsey Mitchell played a pivotal role in the Fever’s victory, matching Ogunbowale’s scoring prowess with 36 points of her own. Mitchell’s crucial 3-pointer with 1:58 remaining gave Indiana a four-point cushion, helping secure the win. Clark and Mitchell combined to hit 10 of Indiana’s 13 3-pointers, shooting a remarkable 50% from beyond the arc as the team finished with a 53% shooting percentage overall.
This victory was particularly sweet for Clark, who had previously set a WNBA record with 19 assists in her first regular-season visit to Texas earlier in the year, a game Indiana lost 101-93. That defeat left the Fever on the brink of playoff contention. Now, Indiana has firmly positioned itself in the playoff mix, boasting a 6-1 record since the Olympic break, including three road victories.
The Dallas Wings, now 9-23, continue to grapple with the effects of a sluggish start to the season, largely due to several key injuries. Despite winning their first playoff series last year, the Wings find themselves two games out of the final postseason spot with eight games remaining. Their postseason hopes hang in the balance as they look to recover in the season’s final stretch.
Indiana’s victory sets the stage for a crucial homestand, with six consecutive games at home starting Wednesday against the last-place Los Angeles Sparks. The Fever will close out the regular season on the road against Washington, with playoff aspirations now within reach.
