Caitlin Clark Prepares for Next Showdown with Angel Reese as Indiana Fever Secure Fourth Consecutive Win Against Atlanta Dream
In a packed arena, the Indiana Fever notched their fourth consecutive victory, dominating the Atlanta Dream, with Caitlin Clark delivering another stellar performance.
Friday night was nearly perfect for the Fever, serving as a clear warning to the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated matchup in Illinois.
Despite a solid performance, Clark, who recorded 16 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, didn’t need to reach her peak until the third quarter. When Atlanta cut a 15-point deficit to eight, Clark took control, executing a crafty run for two points and then nailing a spectacular three-pointer under pressure from three Dream defenders.
Shortly after, Clark’s missed three-pointer felt like it could bring the roof down at State Farm Arena, but the Fever quickly restored their 14-point lead, quashing Atlanta’s momentum. Clark’s brilliance shone through when necessary, marking her as the third-fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 assists.
The 17,000-strong crowd was thoroughly entertained. In the first quarter, Clark set up Kristy Wallace with a sharp diagonal pass for a three-pointer. In the second, she hit two booming three-pointers, the second following a steal by Erica Walker who fed Clark for a wide-open shot from the left.
Just as Clark seemed to be hitting her stride, a traveling call momentarily dampened the crowd’s enthusiasm. Nonetheless, the Fever led by 16 at halftime and secured a 12-point win, bringing their record to 7-10 while the Dream fell to 7-7.
Before the game, downtown Atlanta buzzed with excitement, with as many Fever and Iowa ‘Clark 22’ jerseys as Argentina ‘Messi 10’ shirts visible in the 90-degree heat. This scene, unimaginable months ago, unfolded as soccer legend Messi led Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Canada in the Copa America, likely his final international tournament.
While Messi’s historic career nears its end, Clark is just beginning her WNBA journey, now in her 17th game and heralding a new era for women’s basketball. The Dream moved their game to the larger State Farm Arena to accommodate the sellout crowd drawn by Clark, allowing Indiana to feel at home as they cruised to victory.
Next, the Fever face a challenging trip to Chicago on Sunday, where the atmosphere will starkly contrast with Atlanta. With Reese and Carter awaiting, Indiana aims to extend their winning streak to five. If they continue to perform like this, the Sky won’t be the limit.
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