Clark’s Record 45 Powers Fever Past Storm in 110-107barn burner

Caitlin Clark delivered a historic performance with a career-best 45 points and 10 assists, producing the first 40-point, 10-assist game in WNBA history, as the Indiana Fever edged the Seattle Storm 110-107 on Friday night.

The guard added four steals and two blocks while becoming the fastest player in league history to reach 200 career three-pointers, hitting the mark in 74 games to surpass Katie Smith’s previous record of 81. Clark’s 45-point outing also set a new Indiana franchise record.

Kelsey Mitchell contributed 30 points for the Fever (15-10), and Monique Billings chipped in 16.

Dominique Malonga posted 28 points and 14 rebounds for Seattle, which dropped its fourth straight contest.

With 54.9 seconds remaining, it looked as though Flau’jae Johnson had a fast-break layup, but Clark sprinted back to block the shot off Johnson and out of bounds. Clark then drilled a three-pointer from the left wing for a 105-102 lead and converted all four free throws in the final 17 seconds to clinch the win.

Clark scored 10 points during a 12-4 run and closed the surge with a three that pushed the lead to 49-32 with 7:28 left in the first half.

Mitchell shot 7 of 9 for 17 points and Clark added five points, five assists and two steals as the Fever matched their highest-scoring opening quarter of the season and led 37-26 after one.

Johnson and Awa Fam each scored 16 for Seattle, while Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne finished with 15 apiece.

The Storm (6-21) have lost six of their last seven games.

Aliyah Boston (leg) sat out for Indiana on the opening night of a back-to-back.

Indiana previously defeated Seattle 89-78 at home on 17 May.

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