The Indiana Fever is one of the teams that has not only proved it can play without Caitlin Clark, its offensive core, but also excelled with a 5-game winning streak in the second half to book its spot in the playoffs. But they were going to get stopped somewhere, and the brake came in the form of Kelsey Plum.
With CC still sidelined due to a right groin strain, the Fever had no answer for the Sparks’ offensive barrage, led by Plum’s 25-point, 11-assist masterclass. As a result, the squad fell 100-91 at Crypto.com Arena, dropping to 0-3 against the Sparks this season and reminding fans that the road to dominance in the WNBA is anything but smooth.
But, you know, defeating a team with W5 isn’t really a piece of pie as it was in today’s game, wherein Mitchell put the best of her efforts to rally the troops, torching the nets for 34 points and nearly sparking a late comeback. While Indiana trimmed a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to just six with under two minutes to play, the clock and Kelsey Plum’s poise proved too much to overcome.
Aliyah Boston’s double-double streak ended at six, finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Aari McDonald chipped in 15. Yet, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sparks’ scorching 14-4 fourth-quarter opening run that sealed the deal. All thanks to not just Plum Dawg but also Rickea Jackson, who continued her star role, matching Plum’s 25 points, while Azura Stevens followed with a 19-point contribution.
So, though the Fever entered as the league’s hottest team, the Sparks’ balanced attack and defensive pressure turned the tide.
The post Kelsey Plum Gets Her Number on Helpless Caitlin Clark After Ending Fever’s Winning Streak With 25 Pts, 11 Assists appeared first on EssentiallySports.
