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The Indiana fever didn’t have to come to Caitlin Clark’s defense this time, but the Golden State Valkyries didn’t make it easy on her Thursday night.
Clark, who came out of a game that involved a lot of leisure activity after the flute between herself and Connecticut Sun, was not her usual sharp shooting even in the fever’s 88-77 loss to Valkyries on the road.
Clark shot only 3-AF-14 from the field, including her seven failed three-point attempts to walk through the brace as the fever ended up blowing a 13-point lead in this game to fall to 6-6 a year.
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Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana fever, dribbles against Laeticia Amihere, #3 of the Golden State Valkyries, in the first quarter at the Chase Center on June 19, 2025 in San Francisco. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Clark spoke 11 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while turning the ball over six times to the Golden State.
While Clark fought out over the arch, her teammates didn’t go much better. As a team, the fever shot only 8-of-29 from three-point earth, with Sophie Cunningham, who had been called Clark’s “bodyguard” on the field after the previous fight against the sun, being the only one who hit more than one of her attempts.
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Meanwhile, Valkyries, led by Kayla Thornton’s 16-point evening with five three-points, now owns the same 6-6 record.
Golden State also saw great contributions from the bench, with Tiffany Hayes (14 points, five assists, three rebounds), Chloe Bibby (12 points, three rebounds, an assist) and Laeticia Amihere (10 points, three rebounds, three assists), all helping their team overcome a double-grim-grim-grim-grim-grim.
For Indiana, Aliyah Boston led the team by 17 points, while Kelsey Mitchell (16 points) and Natasha Howard (13 points) all landed in double digits in this category. However, revenue played a big factor in the fever that lost their lead when Valkyries forced 17 gathered in total, while only committing seven.
Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark, #22, handles the ball against the Golden State Valkyries Frem Kayla Thornton, #5, during the first quarter of the Chase Center. (DARREN YAMASHITA-PREPARED PICTURES)
This uncharacteristic performance from Clark comes specifically after getting stabbed in the eye and being pushed to the ground in a very physical WNBA Commissioner Cup match against the sun on Tuesday night.
Clark was protected by Jacy Sheldon as the solar guard stabbed her in the eye, and the fever -super star retaliated by pushing her away.
That led to the sun’s Marina Mabrey running over and pushing Clark to the ground while his back was turned. A three -wing broke out, but it wouldn’t be the end for both teams.
Later in the game wrapped Cunningham Sheldon as she tried to score a basket in the fourth quarter, escalating to the point where both players were thrown out after their physical shifts during the hanger.
Caitlin Clark, #22 by Indiana Fever, is preparing to shoot a free throw during the game against the Golden State Valkyries on June 19, 2025 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Indiana ended up winning the game, 88-71, with Clark of a total of 20 points and six assists. It was just her second game since she returned from an injury.
However, this is certainly not the way Clark or Fever would answer after the Chippy game against Sun. Their next opportunity to get back in the victory column will be Sunday against Las Vegas Aces.
