Caitlin’s Heroics Snuffed: Mystics Survive Overtime Thriller Despite Clark’s Fourth-Quarter Takeover
Caitlin’s Heroics Snuffed: Mystics Survive Overtime Thriller Despite Clark’s Fourth-Quarter Takeover
If you turned off Friday night's game between the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics heading into the fourth quarter because you thought it was a wrap, go ahead and hand over your hoops fan card right now.
In a game that featured enough high-stakes drama to cause a collective spike in blood pressure across Indianapolis, the Washington Mystics outlasted the Indiana Fever 104-102 in an absolute overtime masterpiece. Caitlin Clark did everything humanly possible to drag Indiana to a win, scoring 17 of her 32 points in the fourth quarter alone. Still, Washington's paint dominance and clutch shooting spoiled the party.
The Caitlin Clark Show (Fourth Quarter Edition)
Let’s talk about the final frame, because for a minute there, Gainbridge Fieldhouse was transformed into a full-blown revival tent. Through the first three quarters, Clark was trapped in a refrigerator, shooting a dismal 2-for-15 from the field. The Fever entered the fourth trailing 67-58 and looking completely out of gas.
Then, the slider was clicked to "Hall of Fame" difficulty.
Clark exploded for five 3-pointers in the quarter, completely erasing an 11-point deficit. With just 1.7 seconds left in regulation and the Fever down by three, she pulled up from the left wing and drained a cold-blooded triple to tie the game at 89-all, sending the crowd into absolute hysteria. Washington’s Sonia Citron actually swished a half-court shot on the ensuing inbound, but the buzzer beat her to the release.
Mystics Stand Tall in the Paint
While Clark’s late-game fireworks will dominate the highlight reels, Washington won this game by absolutely bruising Indiana inside. The Mystics outscored the Fever a ridiculous 48-28 in the paint.
Sonia Citron was spectacular, dropping a team-high 30 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting, including 5 crucial points and two assists in the overtime period. Not to be outdone, Kiki Iriafen put on an absolute clinic, racking up 25 points and 13 rebounds. Citron and Iriafen combined for 44 points after halftime, shooting a blazing 21-of-31 from the floor to keep the Mystics ahead when the Fever threatened to run away with it.
Shakira Austin added 19 points of her own, and rookie Cotie McMahon made her debut count, scoring 5 of her 13 points in overtime to seal the deal for Washington (2-1).
Fever Left Reeling and Battered
For Indiana (1-2), this loss is double-trouble. Beyond the heartbreak of the final buzzer, the Fever lost superstar Aliyah Boston with two minutes left in the third quarter to a lower leg injury. Boston had started hot, bouncing back from a scoreless outing earlier in the week to log 9 points in 21 minutes before limping off.
Despite hitting 17 3-pointers as a team, Indiana just couldn't find the bottom of the net when it mattered most in the extra period. Kelsey Mitchell poured in 24 points but missed two critical free throws in the final minute of overtime, and her contested jumper from the corner as time expired banged off the rim.
Next Up on the Slate
Washington: Continues their four-game road trip by heading down to Dallas on Monday.
Indiana: Stays at home to host Seattle on Sunday, desperately looking to log their first home victory of the young season.
