FEVER PUMMEL SKY AS CLARKS' TRIPLE DOUBLE, BOSTON LEAD WAY; BONNER MOVES UP SCORING LIST; REESE AND CLARK GET TANGLED UP
Clark Amasses Triple Double in Season Opening Win By Deon Cash
The Indiana Fever trotted out its "New Look" retooled lineup and team against the Chicago Sky, who also have a new look team of sorts in the 2025 WNBA Season Opener Saturday at home.
The Sky have a new head coach and staff, with the additions of rookies Haley Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld, and optimism after a near playoff run last season led by Star F Angel Reese.
Well that Sky hype was dissolved quickly as the Fever jumped out and routed Chicago 93-58 as Caitlin Clark led the blowout win while Dewanna Bonner became the 3rd leading all-time scorer in WNBA history.
The game was only 22-17 after the first quarter, but the Fever pushed the lead to double digits at half (45-32) and never looked back.
Clark posted her 4th triple double of her career as she had a 20-10-10 masterpiece while the Fever used all of their weapons to seal the deal and send the Sky pissed off and packing.
The Fever had four ladies in double figures, as Aliyah Boston (19pts, 13 reb) dominated inside, Natasha Howard (15pts, 5reb) fit in seamlessly, and Clarks' backcourt partner (Kelsey Mitchell) dropped 15 as well. Lexie Hull had 9 off the bench.
New Indiana coach Stephanie White, a former Fever hooper who made a return for this opportunity, was happy with the performance, but knows there will be much more growth needed to execute what they want to do in Naptown.
In front of a sold out crowd, with the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and other stars in the building watching the high profile season opener, the Fever showed why they could be a real contender for a WNBA title.
THE GOOD
Almost everything that could have went right for the Fever did.
Clark, Boston, and Mitchell balled out. Howard fits seamlessly into the lineup at the 5 and showed her worth. The crowd was electric. Bonner moved up the WNBA All-Time scoring chart. Every player played in the game. It could not have went any better for the Fever.
THE BAD
The Fever started a little slowly which was to be expected; There were a variety of different pieces added to a new puzzle. Early startes was a Achilles last season, so its something to watch for.
THE UGLY
The incident between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark now becomes a bigger headline, as reports of racism was being spewed at Reese during the game has leaked out.
On top of that, Clark and Reese got tangled up as Clark was assessed a flagrant foul for hacking Reese and pushing her to the floor, which had Reese furious to say the least.
The Commissioner and the league has quickly responded, saying that racism or any hate will not be tolerated in the league.
As the W continues its upward rise, there will always be some type of resentment and divide that tries to take away from key games, players, and moments. The W did a good job of putting out the fire, along with Clark and Reese.
Reese, after the presser, kept it brief and seems to have moved on. Clark vehemently denied any excessive meaning to the foul.
FINAL COMMENT AFTER GAME 1
The Fever are who we thought they were. A team who be in the thick of a Championship race in the W. The Sky look to be in rebuild mode, as Reese was the only real bright spot (12pts 17 reb) in a blowout loss.
WHOS NEXT?
The Fever will battle on Tuesday night as they take on the Atlanta Dream at home. This will be a solid test for where the Fever might be in regards to where they stand early in the season.
The game will be shown on one of the channels as a part of the Dayton 24-7 Now Partnership with the Indiana Fever.
Follow S.E.Live365 and Dayton24-7 Now (Fox Sports Dayton) for weekly coverage on the Fever and the WNBA.
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