Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever use fourth-quarter rally to down Minnesota Lynx

Despite a somewhat off afternoon from superstar rookie Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever took down the top team in the Western Conference standings with a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback on Sunday afternoon.

Clark was held in check for most of the first three quarters but seemed to be sparked by a technical foul called against her in the second half, putting together a terrific fourth quarter to earn the 81-74 win over the Minnesota Lynx.

The rookie explained how her team got the job done, trailing by seven points entering the fourth quarter, in a post-game interview.

“Defense. I think we’ve won every single game we’ve kept our opponents under 84, and obviously 74 (tonight),” Caitlin Clark said. “So even though we probably didn’t shoot the ball the greatest, we just found a way to win. We’re resilient. We came into the quarter down seven and just battled.”

For the first time in the last six games, Clark was held without a double-double. She’s been a regular racking those up of late, piling up plenty of assists.

But Minnesota face-guarded her for much of the afternoon, making it difficult for Caitlin Clark to operate the offense the way she’s grown accustomed to.

That underscores just how well the Fever responded. With Clark kept in check, the team’s two other All-Stars really got things rolling.

Guard Kelsey Mitchell scored a game-high 21 points, while forward Aliyah Boston put together a monster double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds.

“She’s just tremendous. She just dominates,” Caitlin Clark said of Boston. “Honestly we probably should have got her the ball a little bit more, but they played pretty much a front defense on her. But she’s just tremendous. She’s really good. Sky’s the limit for her, I think she’s only going to get better and better so I’m super proud of her.”

After putting some real momentum together in mid-June, the Fever had been a bit up and down in recent weeks. Entering Sunday’s contest, Indiana had won three of its last six.

Sunday’s win marked the first back-to-back wins for the franchise since June 19 and June 21.

And with the Fever showing they can play as a team even when Caitlin Clark is limited, things are looking up for Indiana. The Fever will return to action on Tuesday night against the Dallas Wings.