Caitlin Clark has navigated through challenging times recently, but she might have turned a corner on Monday night. Her spectacular 3-pointer with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock secured a 78-76 victory for the Indiana Fever over the Washington Mystics. This marked Clark’s first decisive basket in the final minute of a WNBA game.
The Fever once held a commanding 17-point lead in the second half, only to see it slip away by the fourth quarter, leaving them on the brink of another disheartening loss. Sonia Citron’s two successful free throws with 4.3 seconds to go seemed to seal their fate, especially after Clark missed her own critical free throws moments earlier. Nonetheless, the Fever had one more opportunity, and Clark seized it.
Clark began the play by positioning herself on the baseline and executing a clever decoy screen for Lexie Hull. This strategy baffled the Mystics’ defense, who inexplicably left Clark unguarded. She then sprinted off a screen set by Aliyah Boston on the far wing. With Sophie Cunningham delivering a precise pass and Cotie McMahon unable to intercept, Clark found herself open at a crucial moment. Rather than move closer, she confidently took the shot from 31 feet.
The result was nothing short of perfection.
Clark concluded the game with 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists, shooting 7-of-16 from the field and 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. While not her peak performance, it was a marked improvement in efficiency, and the game-winning shot is sure to boost her confidence.
“I mean, are we surprised? Caitlin Clark is Caitlin Clark, and she does that,” said Fever teammate Aliyah Boston following the game.
Clark had come under significant fire in recent weeks, not only for some on-court struggles, but her behavior toward officials, coaches and teammates. After a 4-2 start, the Fever were 1-3 in their last four games entering Monday’s contest with the Mystics. Clark was averaging 12.3 points, five rebounds and 7.3 assists on 28% shooting overall, including 27.2% from 3-point range during that skid.
Prior to Monday’s game, Clark was asked if that criticism is fair.
“I don’t think I would be as good of a player if I was very stoic and straightfaced all the time. …The fire and the passion, that’s what makes me me,” Clark said, adding that she is “always learning and going back and reflecting on how to be better and how to be a better leader.”
Here’s more from Clark:
“I think basketball’s one of the best environments to do that because the fans are right on top of you. You get to see the player that you idolize. It’s a little different in football or in baseball, like you’re on the field or whatever it is. Basketball is one where you can feel like you’re really connected and a part of the craze with your favorite player, and I think that’s why a lot of people have enjoyed watching me over the course of my career, is that they’ve been able to enjoy the fun and enjoy the ride with me along the way. And they’ve certainly been a part of it, the fans have and the people that have supported me. I wouldn’t be the player that I am if it wasn’t for everybody that was cheering me on and the people pushing me to be better.
“I’m never gonna lose that. I think there’s always ways to channel it and be better. There’s moments where you need it and there’s moments where you just gotta put it to the side and worry about it later. I think there’s always moments for that, and any great athlete would tell you that. You’re always learning and going back and reflecting on how to be better and how to be a better leader. Hopefully I have many more years left in my career where I’ll just continue to improve in that regard. But the fire and the passion, that’s what makes me me. You never want to lose that. Honestly, I feel like I could probably play with a little bit more of that lately. I feel like that smile, my joy and that excitement that people love, I think more of that will help this team.”
Clark’s recent scoring and shooting numbers, in particular, have not been up to her standard, and when she — or any star, for that matter — is not playing well, everything else gets magnified. For Clark, that included an argument with coach Stephanie White during a timeout in the loss to the Fire, a high-five “snub” toward Tyasha Harris and her reactions to foul calls, or lack thereof.
Clark is the biggest name in the league, and remains one of the best players despite her recent play, so she’s always going to be scrutinized. But a lot of that noise will die down if she gets back to her All-Star best and keeps hitting shots like her game-winner on Monday.
