Indiana Squeaks By Washington, For Historic Win in Front Of WNBA’s Most Attended Game In 17 Years (6-7-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: WNBA
Washington D.C- The sellout crowd of 20,333 fans at Capital One Arena was treated to a great matchup between the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics that came down to the final possession of the game. Indiana (3-9) ultimately pulled out the victory over Washington (0-11) 85-83 in another WNBA Commissioner’s Cup contest on Friday evening.
Capital One Arena has had back-to-back successful nights first with Angel Reese’s homecoming game and bringing one of the WNBA’s newest stars to town in Caitlyn Clark. There were a bunch of Iowa Buckeye and 22 Fever jerseys around the entire arena.
But on to the game.
Indiana jumped out to an early start leading by 9 after the first quarter concluded.
The Fever extended its lead to 11 leading 38-27 around the five-and-a-half minute mark of the second. Washington guard Ariel Atkins scored the next seven points to help spark the Mystics comeback, in which they tied the game at 40-40 before Clark got sent to the line with about 23 seconds left giving Indiana a 42-40 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, neither team could gain much separation as Indiana only generated a four-point lead and Washington a three-point lead at one point. Both teams combined for 11 three-pointers in the quarter. With Clark hitting three of her seven and Stefanie Dolson hitting two of her own.
The final quarter closed out dramatically. With 1:40 left, Washington trailed 82-79 when Atkins stole the ball and threw an outlet pass down the middle to rookie Aaliyah Edwards speeding toward the basket who made an and-one bucket. But the referees reviewed it and ultimately deemed it a clear path foul, sending Edwards to the line for two free throws and Washington’s possession. Edwards split the free throws with Washington now trailing 82-80, and Atkins got a good look at a mid-range jumper but it rolled in and out.
The next Indiana possession saw the Mystics force another turnover but were unable to turn it into points. Washington had a chance to force another stop but ended up fouling Aaliyah Boston, sending her to the line with 25 seconds left with the Fever still up 82-80. Boston missed both attempts, allowing Washington a chance to tie or take the lead. Atkins missed the 10-foot shot forcing Washington to intentionally foul. Clark made the pair as Indiana led 84-80 with 11.2 left. The Mystics used its final timeout to advance the ball and found Karlie Samuelson for a fading three-point jumper to cut it to one. Another intentional foul sent Clark to the line who made the first and missed the second. Dolson grabbed the rebound off the miss and threw it down the right baseline, but the ball was tipped out of bounds by Indiana with 1.1 seconds. Washington drew up a pin down for Atkins who came up to the top of the key but couldn’t get a shot off in time.
Clark had her best all-around performance scoring 30 points, shooting 7/13 from three, to go along with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and four steals. Kelsey Mitchell added 16 points off the bench.
Indiana and Washington combined for 29 made three-pointers on the night. The Fever set a franchise record making its most three-point field goals with (16).
Aaliyah Edwards dropped her second straight double-double performance with 10 points and 12 rebounds starting in the place of injured center Shakira Austin who missed her third straight contest.
Dolson had 19 points along with 5 three-pointers. Atkins finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Karlie Samuelson hit some timely three-pointers and Myshia Hines-Allen provided a spark off the bench.
A tough one for Washington, where they had some late opportunities to tie or take the lead but shots ultimately didn’t fall their way.
