WNBA rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese confronted off for the fourth time this season on Friday.
The Fever’s 100-81 victory over the Chicago Sky secured Indiana’s third victory within the four-game sequence between the 2 groups in the course of the common season.
The Fever have now received their final three video games, whereas the Sky have dropped 5 consecutive contests. The primary matchups had been determined by a complete of 10 factors with a pair of one-point wins for every group, whereas this one grew to become a blowout.
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Reese had 10 factors and 11 rebounds, breaking a tie with Tina Charles for rookie double-doubles with 23 and passing Sylvia Fowles for the Chicago season document. She additionally has a rookie document 399 rebounds.
The sport drew a sellout crowd of 9,445 to Wintrust Enviornment on Barbie Evening, which was a nod to Reese’s school nickname at LSU — the Bayou Barbie. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who has appeared to tackle a mentorship function because it pertains to Reese, additionally sat courtside on Friday night time.
The four-time NBA champion is the president of basketball operations at Reebok and performed a key function in Reese signing a reputation, picture, and likeness (NIL) with the footwear firm final October.
Earlier than the sport, Clark confirmed off some new Nike Kobe 6 sneakers. She then went on to ship one other robust efficiency. She completed the night time along with her eleventh double-double of the yr by recording 31 factors and 12 assists. The purpose complete marks a WNBA career-high for the star rookie.
Clark is the one participant to ever have three video games of at the very least 25 factors and 10 rebounds in a season. She additionally stays on tempo to interrupt the general assists document for a single season. Clark entered Friday’s recreation averaging 18 factors, 8.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.
The Fever are 5-1 for the reason that Olympic break.
“I feel we simply perceive one another quite a bit higher,” Clark stated of the present stretch. “Having the chemistry and having the time to play with each other you simply construct confidence. I feel you’re seeing that. … I’m pleased with this group. We’re been sharing the ball, we’re taking good photographs and that’s serving to our transition recreation and it helps us on protection, too.”
Michaela Onyenwere scored 20 factors to guide Chicago, which is 1-5 for the reason that Olympic break. Lindsay Allen had 19 and Rachel Banham 14. The Sky had been with out Chennedy Carter, who missed her second-straight recreation due to well being and security protocols.
On Wednesday, the Fever snapped an 11-game skid of their sequence of matchups with the Connecticut Solar. The 84-80 win on Aug. 28 marked Indiana’s first victory in opposition to Connecticut since July 2021.
After the sport, Clark and the remainder of the Fever group had an opportunity to fulfill Biles and Olympic gold medalist observe star Gabby Thomas. Biles and Thomas smiled, hugged and posed for images with the basketball professionals.
“The squad was ecstatic to fulfill Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas after our win at @GainbridgeFH . the reactions,” the Fever wrote on X, previously often called Twitter.
Biles later took to social media and expressed her pleasure in regards to the progress of girls’s sports activities.
“EVERYONE WATCHES WOMENS SPORTS so pleased to have the ability to go assist! My first of many WNBA video games,” she wrote on X.
The Fever return to motion on Sunday after they tackle the Dallas Wings. The Sky additionally play on Sept. 1 in Minnesota.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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