INDIANAPOLIS —

During most of Friday’s matchup against the Mystics, Caitlin Clark barely took any shots. However, when the fourth quarter rolled around, she turned things around with very few errors.

In fact, Clark scored 17 of her 32 points in that critical last quarter, including five 3-pointers, helping the Fever recover from what looked like a certain loss against the Mystics. Her fifth 3-pointer was particularly crucial, coming just seconds before the end to tie the game and force overtime.

Despite one of the most thrilling finishes so far in this young WNBA season, Clark’s efforts weren’t quite enough. The Fever ended up losing to Washington in overtime, yet her performance underscored just how quickly dynamics can shift when she’s on the floor.

“I felt like I could make about five more.” She added, “They all seemed to be right there. It’s great to finally break through and score on some guys,” following the game.

Clark made two 3-pointers in quick succession during the first quarter, but had only managed to score in that way twice before in the first three quarters.

Overall, she was struggling, hitting just 2 of 15 shots and 2 of 7 from beyond the arc during the fourth, which reflected the Fever’s broader offensive challenges as a team that was shooting just 32.8 percent overall during that time.

Nevertheless, those back-to-back 3s in the fourth foreshadowed the surge to come.

Clark either scored or assisted on 11 of the first 12 points of that last period. The only point she didn’t put directly on the board was from a Monique Billings free throw after a pass from her. In fact, she was involved in scoring 18 of the Fever’s first 21 points, pulling the team back into contention.

Her third 3-pointer gave the Fever a brief 70-69 lead, and within 90 seconds, the Fever found themselves up by four. By the time the clock showed 51 seconds left, they even had an eight-point lead, creating a sense of urgency for the Mystics.

Following a layup by Myisha Hines-Allen, a turnover from the Mystics allowed Kelsey Mitchell to nail a 3-pointer, narrowing the Fever’s lead to just three points. The teams exchanged free throws, leaving the Fever ahead by three with only 5.1 seconds to go.

Thanks to some clever play design by Indiana University head coach Stephanie White, Clark had enough room to make a shot while moving wide. That’s all she needed, as the shot found the net, tying the game with only 1.7 seconds remaining.

“The toughest thing for a basketball player is making a shot and then not being able to keep it,” Clark reflected. “So, I’m definitely proud of myself. I really fought.”

The fourth quarter was wild, with another scare when Sonia Citron’s half-court attempt nearly counted, but it came after the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.

Unfortunately, all the heroics in that final stretch didn’t end favorably as the Mystics rebounded and established a multi-possession lead toward the end. Yet, they missed free throws, and Lexi Hull’s timely 3-pointer gave Indiana a glimmer of hope in the closing seconds.

However, when Mitchell took a desperate shot at the buzzer, it missed, allowing Washington to take a narrow victory.

While the Fever had some constructive moments in the fourth quarter and overtime, it was the earlier stretches—specifically the second and third quarters—that cost them the most. They shot 10-for-42 during this period, including a dismal 3-for-19 from deep.

“If we had dominated for three quarters, we wouldn’t have had to force these heroic plays,” Clark noted. “It’s exciting for the crowd, but we should’ve controlled the game after the first quarter, and we simply didn’t.”

Interestingly, Friday marked the second time in three games that the Fever scored over 100 points, but they lost both of those games. This shows not only the potential of the team offensively but also the work that’s still needed.

“When our defense isn’t consistent, we place too much pressure on our offense to perform perfectly,” head coach White explained. “It’s on us as coaches to ensure discipline throughout every possession. We make mistakes, fouling shooters and having coverage breakdowns. Finding the right player combinations and rotations is essential for better efficiency.”

“I can’t wait to have moments where our defense sparks my shooting,” Clark expressed. “When I feel like shots are falling and the energy is up on the defensive side, that’s when it all comes together. It should be the opposite; we need to generate energy on defense first.”

Though the fourth quarter was electric, the game overall demonstrated how much the Fever still need to improve. No one wants to be reduced to relying solely on “basketball heroics” for a win.

Yet, it also shed light on how exceptional Clark is and how swiftly she can change the game, almost pulling the Fever from the jaws of defeat.