Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever continued to roll on Wednesday night as they beat the Washington Mystics and their star rookie scored 18 points.
Playing in front of their home fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever won 88-81 and improved to a 6-10 record on the season.
Clark added six assists and 12 rebounds, and even produced a defensive highlight when took a pass and went the other way for an easy layup in the first half.
The former University of Iowa star, who has struggled defensively in the pros at times, also finished the game with four steals.
The Fever had started the season 1-8, but have gained momentum lately and Clark and her teammates continue to improve.
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark scored 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the win.
Clark and his Fever teammates have won five of their last seven games after starting 1-8.
“Yeah, it’s huge when you can put these wins together,” Clark said on NBA TV after the game.
“That gives everyone confidence for a young group. So I think we’re starting to see our potential and what we’re capable of doing.”
Clark’s teammates Aaliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell were instrumental in the victory, as they scored 22 points each.
The Mystics, who never led in the game, got 27 points from Ariel Atkins.
Wednesday’s victory also represented the Fever’s fourth consecutive home victory, the first time they have accomplished that feat since August 2015, according to NBA TV’s broadcast of the game.
Clark got a big boost from teammate Aaliyah Boston, as she scored 22 points.
Clark waved to the crowd when she was introduced at the US Swimming Trials the night before.
On Tuesday, Clark and his Fever teammates attended Team USA’s Olympic swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Of course, Clark was snubbed from the US Olympic women’s basketball team in a highly controversial move when the roster was announced earlier this month.
However, the rookie guard later promised that she would “still root for them to win gold” and showed her Olympic spirit on Tuesday.
She and Angel Reese also sent classy messages to aspiring Olympian Cameron Brink, who was set to compete for the U.S. women’s 3×3 team before tearing her ACL Tuesday night.
