The New York Liberty just couldn’t keep up with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, who barraged them with one three-pointer after another in a 106-92 loss in Indianapolis Tuesday night.
The Fever controlled the game from the beginning and built their lead up to 21 points before halftime on a night where the team shot 64% from three, the second-highest ever by a team with at least 25 attempts. New York briefly cut the lead to single digits in the third quarter before Indiana pulled away for good.
“They shot the sh-t out of the ball,” Breanna Stewart said. “Obviously, we know that they have tons of capable shooters to do that… we just need to keep up that pace… and that’s something we can continue to be better [at] and be more intentional.”
It was Clark and superstar Kelsey Mitchell who led the way for the Fever. Mitchell scored 20 points in the first half, and 28 in the game, while playing aggressive defense in the second half. Clark knocked down three early three-pointers and finished with a 22-point, 10-assist double-double.
“If we’re going to commit to taking the paint away… I think at times people are going to get open threes,” Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco said. “Of course we gotta do a better job and get a better contest but a tough game for us in the way they shot the ball.”
The Liberty attempted to keep up with the Fever’s fast-paced play for most of the game but were less efficient from the field. New York made just 30% of its shots from three-point range and turned the ball over 13 times.
“Certainly there [are] things we have to do better,” Coach DeMarco said. “[We have to] contest some of those threes and rotate better, but overall we have to play our game and we know that.”
Breanna Stewart was New York’s most aggressive offensive player. Stewart was tied for a team high with 19 points but was stuck on the bench multiple times as the Fever went on large runs.
“[Stewart’s] gotta take a break,” DeMarco said. “We can’t play her 40 minutes, so the strategy there is that our bench has been great… [and] we’re going to continue to believe in our entire roster.”
Sabrina Ionescu scored 19 points as well, including 8 in the fourth quarter as the team attempted a final push, and shot 7-for-11 from the field. The superstar guard also added 4 rebounds, enough to pass Tari Phillips for fourth-all time in Liberty history.
“I’d always rebounded with boys growing up and the only way I was able to get the ball was if I rebounded,” Ionescu said. “Rebounding’s not only for post players, but it takes a lot of effort and energy and will, and I feel like I’ve always tried to do that.”
Jonquel Jones added 14 points and 10 rebounds to earn her 13th double-double of the season. Jones battled against superstar center Aaliyah Boston, who finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
The Fever received notable contributions from role players Monique Billings and Sophie Cunningham. Billings scored 14 points and picked up 2 steals and Cunningham scored 12 points, all came on threes as she shot 4-for-5 from distance.
The Liberty found success in the paint as they outscored Indiana 44-34 inside but it was not enough to match the Fever’s shooting. New York also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, but they only led to 12 second-chance points.
The Liberty fell to 20-14 on the year with the loss and remain muddled in the middle of the WNBA standings, where just two games separate the teams seeded 4-through-8.
New York will look to bounce back against the Los Angeles Sparks at home in Brooklyn on Thursday night.
