Game Summary: Clark, Fever too hot to be Sky In Icy Matchup against Rival

INDIANAPOLIS In spite of a mid-June heatwave bringing the central region of Indiana to a scorching temperatures of 93 degrees, Sunday’s conditions within Gainbridge Fieldhouse was icy.

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By Madie Chandler | FeverBasketball.com

The cold front of rivalry was followed by an icy storm that brought the Chicago Sky into town, and if the previous match with The Fever as well as the Sky was a sign of a new rivalry developing, this contest showed that it’s thriving – growing even despite the cold nature of the game.

The attitude doesn’t stem from of personal resentments or national stories instead, it’s the result of the competitive grit of two teams with some of the most promising young players on the WNBA.

“I spent my first six years in Chicago and this was a huge rivalry,” coach Christie Sides said. “…Two very good teams – two very young teams trying to figure out with top players, getting better with every game.”

Indiana was victorious following their first game against the Sky and increased their record with Chicago to 2-0 after an 91-83 victory. There were many factors that have changed in the two games however one thing is unchanged: the tradition between the teams and their respective players remains an attraction for the attention of. Sunday’s game sold out at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, bringing in a capacity of 17,274 spectators to watch yet another intense game with Caitlin Clark as well as Angel Reese.

“The emotion, the passion that we play with – I think people love to see that,” Clark stated. “And I’m thinking that’s not something that’s been recognized in women’s sport. This should be the case. That’s part of the thing that makes it fun…We’re playing against each other. That’s how it should be. There will be some feisty moments It’s going to become physically. However, at the end of the day both teams are trying to be successful.”

The energy and enthusiasm of that sold-out crowd filled the Fieldhouse to the breaking point as Dana Evans was its recipient in the aftermath of a late incident during the first quarter where she was tangled to Clark. The fans considered the incident excessive and the officials too and the crowd took to the streets.

It’s not an end to them, but they’ll attack on you, but.

Clark drove towards the rim on in the final frame to make an open layup on the left and was then dealt the hard blow from Reese. The collision woke up the raucous crowd and was later upgraded to a Flagrant-one infringement.

“It’s just part of basketball,” Clark stated. “It does what it says. She was trying to play with the ball to obtain it off the ground.”

Clark was able to complete her block on a Marina Mbrey 3-pointer, which resulted in the Boston layup that widened that Indiana edge to five points and forced an Chicago timeout in the middle of the 4th quarter. The Fever never stopped looking back.

Regardless of the cold court conditions, Indiana’s explosive shooting was a challenge the Chicago defense could handle. Four players scored double figures, and they all achieved this feat by shooting more than 50 percent from the court. Clark’s 23 points lead the Fever and was closely followed by Aliyah Boston’s second double-double in a row. Boston scored 19 points and 14 boards and five blocks, all against Sky’s powerful post pair consisting of Reese Clark and Kamilla Cardoso.

“Defensively we’ve been sound enough to go back on the [offensive] end and get what we want,” Kelsey Mitchell said. “…I believe that the 90 points or more has been a result of pace, obviously moving around the floor, but also defensively being strong enough to go back to the offensive end.”

Indiana was able to hold Chicago to 40.7 shooting percentage and accumulated eleven blocked shots. One from the nine players shot more than 50 percent, and the Fever took the rebounding contest 38-32.

Five-tenths of the Fever are 5-5 over their last 10 games and have the two-game winning streak at first in this season. They will be looking to Wednesday as they’ll have a chance to score another victory against Washington Mystics. Washington Mystics to extend their winning streak at home to four.

“It’s about the Indiana Fever every day,” Sides declared. “When we’re in the locker room talking pregame, it’s about the Indiana Fever, and how we just have to get better in our 40 minutes and success will follow.”

The Fever have finally achieved victory, and they hope to build on it in the forthcoming contests.