Caitlin Clark recorded the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history, leading Indiana Fever to an 83-78 victory against New York Liberty on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, ending the Fever's nine-game losing run against the Liberty. Clark had 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds for Indiana (9-13). The No. 1 selection in the WNBA draft was one rebound shy of a triple-double in an 88-82 away win over the Phoenix Mercury two nights ago.
Caitlin Clark scored 11 points in the first quarter, going 3 of 4 from three-point range. She reached double figures in assists in the third quarter and surpassed the 10-rebound mark in the fourth. Clark completed a three-point play, and Kelsey Mitchell followed with a three-pointer to tie the game at 75 with 2:31 remaining. Aliyah Boston scored after Mitchell's steal, giving Indiana a two-point advantage, and Lexie Hull's reverse layup extended the margin to 79-75 at 1:24.
Sabrina Ionescu of New York Liberty responded with a 3-pointer, but she missed the following trip down the floor with a chance to put the Liberty up. Boston scored two free throws with 17 seconds left, and Mitchell added two with 11 seconds left to complete the upset. Boston led the Fever with 18 points (8-for-12 shooting) and eight rebounds. Mitchell scored 14 points, reaching double digits for the tenth consecutive game. NaLyssa Smith, the second overall choice in the 2022 draft, added 12 points and 11 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
Indiana Fever first victory over New York Liberty
Ionescu scored 22 points to lead New York (17-4), which had won five consecutive games. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton ended with 20 points, including four three-pointers. Breanna Stewart tallied 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Jonquel Jones recorded 12 rebounds, six points, and three steals. After responding with a 3-pointer, Sabrina Ionescu of New York missed a layup that would have put the Liberty up. With 17 seconds remaining, Mitchell scored two free throws, and Boston made two more to seal the upset with 11 seconds left.
It was Indiana Fever first victory over New York Liberty since May 13, 2022, when they won 92-86 on the road. 50–41 is the all-time series lead for the Fever.