Fever Recap: Indy Jumps Out, Holds Off Phoenix 98-89 Behind Clark & Mitchell
By Deon Cash
The Indiana Fever started their season back tonight and Caitlin Clark was ready for every bit of it, as she lead the Indiana Faver to a huge early lead en route to a nice home win tonight against the Phoenix Mercury.
This was the first game back since the Olympic break for Indiana.
While the Fever had 3 All-Stars, they had no players make the Olympic roster, which meant a two week break.
In a packed house at Gainbridge Fieldhouse the Fever took that early momentum and turned it into a huge early lead, as Clark got rolling early and often.
The lead was as big as (26) 52-24 at one point and a 54-37 advantage at half as Clark and NaLyssa Smith had really dominated in the early stages. The Fever scored 26 of their 54 points in the paint.
Clark had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists at half.
They would continue to hit 3-pointers to actually take the lead (62-61). Lexy Hull, who had been silent up until that point, hit a key 3 to switch the momentum and Samuelson hit a buzzer beater 3 to give the Fever the lead (73-65) that they would never relinquish.
Kelsey Mitchell would come through in the 4th quarter, time and time again, on her way to a 28 point night.
The Indiana Fever were set up with a rigorous schedule to start, but now have found their footing and could be headed to a nice 2nd half of the season, which could include a playoff berth.
With the win the Fever move to 12-15, sitting firmly in the 7 spot. With the loss Phoenix falls to 14-13. It is noted that Indiana has the tiebreaker over Phoenix after winning all 3 matchups against the Mercury. 
Diana Taurasi also played in this game, as she sat out the last meeting due to injury. Taurasi is the only Olympic athlete with 6 gold medals in Basketball.
Indiana will now face Seattle, who has been a top 4 team in the West this season. They will host the Storm on Sunday at 3:30pm.
