Caitlin Clark is patiently waiting for Fever to see if they’re compatible with each other.
The Fever recorded their third straight win with an 88-81 victory over the Mystics at home.
Clark, who finished with 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, denied the negative rumors about the team and explained how the Fever plan to ride the momentum.
“I think in our world, everybody likes instant gratification,” said Clark, who also had six assists and four steals. “Nobody ever said from day one in the locker room that we were going to be WNBA champions. That’s never been our goal. Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and that’s what we’re fighting for every night.”
“This is the first time since 2015 that we’ve won four straight home games. You have to look at things objectively, and that applies to life too. You have to have an objective view of life and have a solid perspective on what this team can accomplish, and I think everybody in the locker room had that.”
“Nobody was discouraged. We had the toughest schedule since opening night, barely had any practice and we’re playing some of the most inexperienced teams in the WNBA. So I think this team is starting to get on a roll and build chemistry and we’re just taking it one day at a time.”
“But like I said, everybody likes instant gratification. And obviously, we would have liked that, too. But I think everybody kept a good outlook, knowing that we just have to get better step by step. And we’re going to continue to do that, even though we’ve won three straight games here at home.”
Fever coach Christy Sides echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that Indiana took time to build teamwork with its young players and a tough opening-season schedule.
The Fever are on a roll with a 5-2 record in their last seven games and are starting to come together as a team and find their identity, especially on offense, after starting the season with an 0-5 record.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell scored 22 points.
The chemistry between Clark and Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s No. 1 overall pick in 2023, was on full display Wednesday night against Washington at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Boston finished with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting and also had eight rebounds.
“I think Caitlin’s good at finding me and understanding when to make a shot out of the pick-and-roll,” Boston said. “I think it’s just something we’ve built up through games and practice and just getting a feel for each other. I think a big part of that is Caitlin talks to me a lot when she has the ball in her hands.”
Clark and the Fever (6-10) will look to earn their fourth straight win on the road against the Atlanta Dream (6-7) on Friday.
Indiana is currently ranked eighth in the WNBA, but will be in line for the final playoff spot after going 13-27 last season.
