Fever Bounce Back with Commissioner's Cup Win
The Indiana Fever successfully rebounded from their most challenging defeat of the season, securing an 83-71 victory over the Atlanta Dream in their Commissioner's Cup opener this past Thursday. The win provided a much-needed reset for Indiana following a difficult stretch of games.
Caitlin Clark’s Remarkable Resilience
The game was highlighted by a display of grit from Caitlin Clark, who, according to broadcast reports, was physically ill during the halftime break. Despite the setback, she returned to the court in the second half to help solidify a double-digit lead for her team.
Reflecting on the incident after the final buzzer, Clark explained:
«I tried to eat some applesauce and it just came up — then everything else in my stomach also came up. I thought it was going to stay down and then I found a trash can — thank god. I haven’t puked that much in a really long time.»
Clark finished the night with 17 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, while also delivering some of her most impactful defensive play of the season.
Milestones and Key Performances
Kelsey Mitchell was the offensive engine for the Fever, shooting 11-of-15 to finish with 25 points. This performance marked a significant career milestone for Mitchell, who surpassed the 5,000-point mark. Additionally, she maintained her impressive streak of double-digit scoring games.
Other notable contributions included:
- Aliyah Boston: Tallied 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists.
- Defensive Effort: The Fever limited the Dream to just 34.8% shooting, marking the lowest points allowed by Indiana and the lowest points scored by Atlanta in any game this season.
Atlanta Dream Recap
For the Atlanta Dream, Angel Reese recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. With this performance, she became the fastest player in the franchise's history to accumulate both 100 points and 100 rebounds.