Seattle, WA — Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever faced yet another close defeat in the WNBA, this time falling short by just two points against Jewell Loyd and the Seattle Storm. Loyd led the charge with 32 points, 21 of which came in a commanding first-half performance. Sami Whitcomb chipped in with 10 crucial points in the fourt quarter to secure an 85-83 victory for the Storm, leaving the Fever still searching for their first win of the season.
Clark expressed the frustration of narrowly missing out on victories, highlighting how the small margins separate them from a better record. Despite her team’s struggles, Clark remained optimistic, pointing out areas for improvement that could turn the tide in their favor.
Loyd, a standout from the previous season, bounced back from a slow start to deliver an impressive scoring display, notching her 22nd 30-point game. Her partnership with Whitcomb proved vital, particularly in the final frame, where they combined for 18 of Seattle’s 27 points to stave off a late surge from Indiana.
“I just kind of cleared my head. I was in a good headspace coming into today’s game. I just kind of reset and changed my routine a little bit and then caught a little rhythm,” Loyd said.
Clark showcased her toughness, bouncing back from a recent ankle injury to lead her team in scoring with 21 points. While initially struggling against Seattle’s defense, she ignited a third-quarter comeback, reminiscent of her dominant collegiate performances.
“It’s still a process of learning when to be assertive,” Clark said. “Sometimes it’s hard when you start off a little bit cold.”
The game saw its fair share of drama in the final minutes, with contentious calls and reviews adding to the tension. Despite Clark’s efforts to bring the Fever within striking distance, Seattle held on, sealing the win with a late free throw from Nneka Ogwumike.
The matchup also marked the debut of Seattle rookie Nika Muhl, who received a warm welcome from the crowd but was quickly challenged by Clark’s scoring prowess.
Looking ahead, the Fever aim to bounce back against Los Angeles, while the Storm prepare to face Washington in their next outing.
