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Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark lead Indiana Fever to victory over Atlanta

Vaseline August 27, 2024

ATLANTA — The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 84-79 on Monday night for their 14th win of the season. It’s their most wins since 2016, Tamika Catchings’ final season and the last time Indiana made the playoffs.

The Dream (10-19) didn’t make it easy, however. The Fever nearly blew a 14-point lead, pulling within two with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter. But poorly timed fouls by Atlanta kept Indiana ahead, giving the Fever just enough breathing room in the final minutes.

‘Pace and pace’: Lynx coach reveals Caitlin Clark’s biggest assets for Fever

The Fever are now 14-16 and still in seventh place in the WNBA standings, and still have a shot at the playoffs.

Here are three observations:

Caitlin Clark sprains ankle, but quickly returns to play

Fever fans in the building collectively held their breath as Fever rookie Caitlin Clark fell, clutching her ankle, midway through the first quarter. She became tied up with Nia Coffey at the free throw line and twisted her ankle, sending her to the ground in pain.

Clark lay on the ground for a while, her teammates surrounding her as the Fever called a timeout and had trainers come in to check her ankle. After a long pause, Clark was eventually helped off the ground and walked back to the bench.

Apparently it was a no-brainer. Clark didn’t leave the bench, was tied up when play resumed and Erica Wheeler replaced her. She sat on the bench for the rest of the quarter (about three minutes of play) and then checked back in for the second quarter with no sign of a problem.

Minor ankle injuries are nothing new for Clark — she sprained the same ankle against the Sun in May, and went back to the locker room to get it checked out. She eventually returned to that game, saying after the game, “Every basketball player has an ankle injury. If you don’t have one, you’re not a real baller.”

Lexie Hull starts second half in place of Katie Lou Samuelson

For multiple games early in the season, Lexie Hull sat on the bench for entire games, with DNP Coach’s Decision appearing next to her name next to multiple box scores — a big difference for someone who started most of the Fever’s games in 2023.

Now Hull are getting starting minutes off the bench.

She played 30 minutes Monday night and finished with two points, four rebounds and two assists. She had a +/- of +4.

The third-year guard has played 20 or more minutes in each of the Fever’s last three games, including Monday’s game against the Dream. She’s known for her defensive prowess, but she’s also shown flashes of offensive prowess — including a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting against the Storm last week. She scored in double figures for a second straight game against Minnesota, with 10 points in the Fever’s loss to the Lynx.

While Hull is playing more minutes, it means less for Katie Lou Samuelson, who normally starts at 3. Samuelson played just 14 minutes against the Lynx on Saturday, while Hull played 26. On Monday, Samuelson was limited to seven minutes and took just one shot. Samuelson has taken just one shot in the three games since the Olympic break, going 1 of 11 from the field.

Kelsey Mitchell wins fourth straight game with 20+ points

If her recent play is any indication, the Olympic break has been huge for Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell is a two-time All-Star and has averaged more than 24 points per game in the Fever’s four games since the Olympic break.

She has been a consistent scorer all season, averaging 17.8 points per game, but her scoring ability has taken it to the next level.

More: Kelsey Mitchell is ‘excited’ about the free market, if it gets there.

Mitchell weaved around defenders in her 38 minutes on the court Monday night, shooting 10 of 23 from the field. Her two free throws with five seconds left put the Fever up five, securing the win and giving Mitchell 29 points.

How many points did Caitlin Clark score against the Dream?

Clark tied the rookie record for 3-pointers she made Monday night by making four, bringing her total to 85. The Dream’s Rhyne Howard set the record in her rookie season in 2022. Now Clark has 10 games left to set her own record.

The Fever rookie finished the game with 19 points on 6 of 14 shooting (including 4 of 8 three-pointers), adding seven rebounds and seven assists.