In a blockbuster showdown between No. 1 draft picks Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, it was Clark and the Indiana Fever who stole the spotlight on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse—and they did it in record-breaking style.
The Fever exploded with a franchise-record 64 points in the first half, including a 36-15 domination in the second quarter that sealed control of the game early. They never let go of the reins, cruising to a 102-83 blowout win.
Clark, the top pick of 2024, dished out a season-high 13 assists—part of a jaw-dropping 30 assists on 40 field goals, marking both a personal high and a Fever record for a regulation game. It was also her 17th career game with double-digit assists, but impressively, her first with no more than two turnovers.
Though Clark is still working her way back into rhythm after two injury spells—and missed the Fever’s first battle against the Wings—she still made an impact. She finished with 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting (2-for-7 from deep), but shined on defense, racking up five steals and setting the tone for her squad.
The crowd roared when Clark blocked JJ Quinerly’s layup attempt and, within seconds, fired a stunning three-quarter-court pass to a sprinting Sophie Cunningham for an easy bucket.
“I still didn’t shoot it like I wanted,” Clark admitted after the game, “but I feel it coming. I’m just trying to get my legs back under me.” She added, “My playmaking felt sharp, and there wasn’t much need for me to force shots—we were just super balanced and executed beautifully.”
On the other side, Bueckers—the 2025 No. 1 pick—led all scorers with 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting, marking her 17th straight game in double figures to begin her WNBA career—the fourth-longest such streak ever. She also chipped in 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, though her 4 turnovers were a blemish.
After a tight first quarter, the Fever went on a tear, outscoring the Wings with a 25-4 blitz that left Dallas reeling. The Fever led 64-42 at the half—their largest point differential in a quarter since 2016—and their 64 first-half points are the most by any WNBA team this season.
Indiana shot 52% from the field, dominated the paint with 58 points, and converted 18 Wings turnovers into 23 points.
“Their physicality threw us off,” said Dallas coach Chris Koclanes, reflecting on his team’s second-quarter collapse. “They took us out of rhythm, and we didn’t respond well in transition. Effort-wise, we needed more.”
The Fever extended their lead to 29 in the third quarter, finishing with five players in double figures for the fourth time this season. Kelsey Mitchell (20 points), Natasha Howard (18), and Aliyah Boston (17) led the way with a combined 55 points.
“We were just in sync—ball movement, pick-and-roll execution, and our defense created offense,” Clark said.
Indiana coach Stephanie White praised the performance, saying, “To run like we want to, we’ve got to lock down on defense. And today, the ball flew around—we were playing true .5 basketball in that second quarter.”
Just days earlier, the Fever looked flat, scoring only 61 points on 30% shooting. But now, with 201 points in two games, White says she’s “pleased with our progress” as the team continues to carve out its identity.
Dallas (6-16) welcomed back Arike Ogunbowale after a thumb injury sidelined her for three games, but the four-time All-Star couldn’t find her rhythm. She missed all 10 of her shots, scoring just two points—the worst shooting night of her career by volume.
“You could see the rust,” said Koclanes. “She’s got to find that balance again—moving, finding space, getting off screens. And I’ve got to help her do that better.”
Bueckers still saw growth in her teammate, saying, “This was the best I’ve seen her respond when shots weren’t falling. She stayed locked in, led with energy, and didn’t let it affect her effort. That meant a lot.”
Description:
"In their first pro clash, Caitlin Clark leads the Indiana Fever to a record-breaking win over Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings with elite playmaking, fierce defense, and franchise-best numbers. Full breakdown of the game-changing performance!"