Tempers flare after Clark's 3rd quarter foul, but Reese double-double isn't enough as Fever blast Sky 93-58
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 17: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky takes a hard foul from Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever in the second half during the Fever's home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Phot (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Caitlin Clark opened the season with the third triple-double of her career, and the new-look Indiana Fever dominated the final 16 1/2 minutes Saturday to pull away from the revamped Chicago Sky 93-58.
By the numbers:
Last season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while blocking a career-high four shots. Aliyah Boston added 19 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, while Natasha Howard scored 15 points in her Fever debut.
DeWanna Bonner also scored seven points to move into third on the WNBA’s career scoring last, passing Tina Thompson. Bonner now has 7,289 points.
Angel Reese had 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Sky, who lost three of four last season to Indiana. Ariel Atkins added 11 points.
In the third quater, after Reese made one of two free throws following a flagrant foul and Courtney Vandersloot made a layup on the ensuing possession, Indiana closed the third quarter on a 9-0 run to take a 65-45 lead. The Sky never really threatened Indiana’s lead.
Fever coach Stephanie White earned the first win of her second coaching tenure in her first game back in the state where she won Indiana’s 1994-95 Miss Basketball Award and led Purdue to the 1998-99 national championship.
What they're saying:
The Sky made 6 of their 27 3-point attempts on Saturday afternoon, but the real issue on offense were the 13-point third and fourth quarters.
When the offense struggles, the Sky fall behind. Especially behind a team that has as much talent and veteran leadership as Indiana.
"I think we got stagnant," Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said. "The ball didn't move as much as we wanted it to."
Marsh said the team will "take this one on the chin," and promised the team will rally before the May 22 home opener vs. New York.
"This game will not define our season," Marsh said. "I can promise you that."
Reese on flagrant foul:
Saturday's game was defined by the newest chapter in the Clark-Reese rivalry. This time, it came on a hard foul from Clark across Reese’s arm, which jarred the ball loose and knocked Reese to the floor with 4:38 left in the third quarter. When Reese jumped up to confront Clark, Fever center Aliyah Boston stepped between the two players as Clark walked away from the skirmish.
The referees upgraded Clark’s foul to a flagrant 1 and assessed technical fouls to Reese and Boston following a replay review.
After the game, Reese was asked about the play in question.
"Basketball play. Refs got it right," Reese said. "Move on."