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Caitlin Clark & Indiana Fever win 1st game of season, beat LA Sparks 78-73 in front of 19,103

Caitlin Clark had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first WNBA double-double and the Indiana Fever beat Los Angeles 78-73 on Friday night to snap a season-opening five-game skid in front of a Sparks record crowd of 19,103 that included several Hollywood stars. “The first one feels really good,” said Clark, who also had eight assists.

Quick Read

  • Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever win 1st game of season, beat LA Sparks 78-73 in front of 19,103
  • First Win: The Indiana Fever snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 78-73.
  • Caitlin Clark’s Performance: Caitlin Clark achieved her first WNBA double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, adding 8 assists.
  • Key Players: Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 18 points, Aliyah Boston and Temi Fagbenle each added 17 points.
  • Record Crowd: The game was witnessed by a record crowd of 19,103 at the Crypto.com Arena, including several Hollywood stars.
  • Clark’s Highlight: Clark made a deep 3-pointer with 2:27 remaining, celebrated with actor and Iowa native Ashton Kutcher courtside.
  • Sparks’ Standouts: Cameron Brink scored 15 points with 9 rebounds, Rickea Jackson had a career-high 16 points off the bench, and Dearica Hamby added 18 points and 12 rebounds.
  • Crowd Reaction: Clark and the Fever received strong support from the crowd, especially in the closing moments of the game.
  • Next Matches: The Fever will visit Las Vegas on Saturday, and the Sparks will host Dallas on Sunday.

The Associated Press has the story:

Caitlin Clark & Indiana Fever win 1st game of season, beat LA Sparks 78-73 in front of 19,103

Newslooks- LOS ANGELES (AP) —

Caitlin Clark had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first WNBA double-double and the Indiana Fever beat Los Angeles 78-73 on Friday night to snap a season-opening five-game skid in front of a Sparks record crowd of 19,103 that included several Hollywood stars.

“The first one feels really good,” said Clark, who also had eight assists.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (1-5) with 18 points and Aliyah Boston and Temi Fagbenle had 17 each.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is introduced before a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Clark’s rebounds were a career high. She missed her first seven 3-point attempts, but finally made one of her trademark deep 3s with 2:27 remaining in the game, triggering an explosion of cheers and applause. A giddy Clark high-fived actor and Iowa native Ashton Kutcher sitting courtside.

Los Angeles Sparks guard Layshia Clarendon, right, defends against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“That’s a fellow Hawkeye, somebody that’s been very supportive of me over the course of my college career,” she said. “He was encouraging me the whole game.”

The game featured the youth and future of the WNBA, with No. 1 draft pick Clark playing against No. 2 pick Cameron Brink and fourth selection Rickea Jackson of the Sparks.

“They’re making a huge impact in our league,” Fever coach Christie Sides said before the game.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Brink had 15 points and nine rebounds and Jackson added a career-high 16 points off the bench for the Sparks (1-3). Dearica Hamby had 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Jason Sudeikis, Rosie O’Donnell, Kathy Griffin, DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls, Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, USC star JuJu Watkins along with teammate Rayah Marshall and coach Lindsay Gottlieb were among the sellout home crowd for the Sparks’ first game at Crypto.com Arena this season.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is greeted by coach Christie Sides after a foul during the first half of the team’s WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“The crowd was absolutely amazing, especially there at the end,” Clark said. “They were into it, they were invested.”

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) defends against Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

After trailing by 11 points early in the game, Boston, Fagbenle and Mitchell dominated the fourth quarter, with Mitchell hitting back-to-back 3-pointers.

Brink made a 3-pointer and Lexie Brown scored to draw the Sparks within 73-71. But Clark answered with her second deep 3-pointer with about 40 seconds left and the crowd roared again as Indiana stayed in front, 76-71.

Indiana Fever center Temi Fagbenle (14) shoots during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“I was due, like they had to go in,” said Clark, who was 4 of 14 from the field, 2 of 9 on 3-point attempts. “I had missed so many throughout the game.”

The Fever were just 7 of 25 from long range; the Sparks also struggled, going 5 of 24.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark greets Ashton Kutcher after a 78-73 win over the Los Angeles Sparks in a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Sparks played their first two home games in Long Beach, but with Clark and the Fever in town the game was moved to downtown Los Angeles.

Trailing 45-34, the Fever opened the third quarter on a 16-3 run to lead 50-48. Fagbenle and Boston combined to score all of Indiana’s points, with Fagbenle’s 3-pointer capping the spurt. Clark didn’t score but she came up with a big steal at midcourt and after she missed Boston scored.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink, right, defends against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“She was running our offense. She’s learning her system, learning her players,” Sides said of Clark. “She hit some huge shots and did everything we needed her to do.”

The teams meet again Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) defends against Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

UP NEXT

Fever: Visit Las Vegas on Saturday.

Sparks: Host Dallas on Sunday.

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