Caitlin Clark Endures Rare Shooting Woes as Indiana Fever Fall to Golden State Valkyries
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Indiana Fever, fresh off a fiery victory against the Connecticut Sun, experienced a disheartening setback on Thursday night, falling 88-77 to the expansion Golden State Valkyries. The highly anticipated matchup saw Caitlin Clark endure one of the most challenging shooting nights of her professional career, a rare sight for the prodigious sharpshooter.
Clark finished the game with just 11 points on a dismal 3-for-14 from the field, including an uncharacteristic 0-for-7 from beyond the arc. This marked only the second time in her WNBA career that she failed to connect on a single three-pointer, a testament to the effectiveness of the Valkyries' defensive scheme. Despite her struggles from deep, Clark still contributed significantly in other areas, dishing out nine assists and grabbing seven rebounds, though she also tallied six turnovers.
Valkyries' Defense and Depth Shine
Golden State's victory was a credit to their disciplined defense and balanced scoring attack. The Valkyries, who trailed by as many as 13 points in the game, mounted a significant comeback, particularly in the fourth quarter where they outscored the Fever 33-18. Their defensive strategy, which involved picking up Clark high on the court and denying her comfortable looks, proved highly effective.
Kayla Thornton led the charge for Golden State with 16 points and six rebounds. The Valkyries also received crucial contributions from their bench, with Tiffany Hayes (14 points), Chloe Bibby (12 points in her WNBA debut), and Laeticia Amihere (10 points, 4 blocks) all providing a significant spark. The Valkyries' ability to force turnovers (17 total) while committing only seven themselves was a key factor in their comeback.
Fever's Momentum Halted
For the Indiana Fever, this loss snapped a two-game winning streak that included a physical and emotional victory over the Connecticut Sun just days prior. In that contentious matchup, Clark had scored 20 points, including four three-pointers, in an 88-71 win that secured the Fever a spot in the Commissioner's Cup. The intensity of that game, which featured multiple ejections and skirmishes, seemed to carry over, though in Game 6 it was Indiana's offense that looked out of sync.
While Clark struggled with her shot, other Fever players stepped up. Aliyah Boston recorded another strong performance with a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, along with three blocks, making franchise history by moving into second overall in double-doubles. Kelsey Mitchell added 16 points and Natasha Howard contributed 13. However, the team's collective shooting woes from three-point range (8-for-29) mirrored Clark's individual struggles.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Golden State Valkyries improved their record to 6-6, matching the Indiana Fever's record and positioning themselves firmly in the playoff picture in their inaugural season.
The Indiana Fever (6-6) will look to regroup quickly as they continue their road trip, facing the formidable Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, June 22nd. Clark and the Fever will certainly be eager to bounce back and find their shooting touch against another top WNBA contender.
This rare off-night for Caitlin Clark highlights the challenges of facing dedicated WNBA defenses, but her ability to impact the game even without her scoring touch remains evident. Fans will be watching closely to see how she and the Fever respond in their next outing.
