Caitlin Clark breaks another record in upset victory over Phoenix after Olympics lifeline

Caitlin Clark has group a caller franchise grounds successful nan Indiana Fever's location triumph complete nan Phoenix Mercury, arsenic she besides became nan first rookie successful WNBA history to grounds 400 points, 150 assists and 100 rebounds.

The 22-year-old constituent defender put up 20 points and 13 assists, 9 of which came successful nan first 4th alone, to break nan Fever's grounds for astir assists (seven) successful a azygous 4th connected Friday nighttime successful Indianapolis.

Clark now ranks 2nd in the WNBA's starring assists floor plan down Alyssa Thomas this play down Alyssa Thomas. Guard Kelsey Mitchell and halfway Aliyah Boston besides contributed to nan team's 96-85 triumph pinch 28 and 21 points, respectively.

Indiana's upset complete Phoenix whitethorn travel arsenic a astonishment to many, considering that nan Mercury person 3 players heading to nan Paris 2024 Olympics -- guards Diana Taurasi and Kahleah Copper, on pinch halfway Brittney Griner.

Clark was handed an Olympics lifeline, Thursday, erstwhile it was revealed that Taurasi, 40, is struggling to retrieve from a limb wounded successful clip for nan Games, leaving nan doorway unfastened for nan No. 1 wide draught prime to person a daze precocious call-up to Team USA's women's hoops roster.

The Fever went ligament to ligament complete nan visiting Mercury successful nan 4th fourth of Friday night's crippled aft starring by 20 points astatine halftime. 

Mitchell's midrange jumper and Smith's three-point play extended nan lead to 65-40 pinch 7:12 near successful nan 3rd quarter.

Mitchell's midrange jumper and guardant NaLyssa Smith's three-point play extended nan lead to 65-40 pinch 7:12 near successful nan 3rd quarter 

Mercury defender Sophie Cunningham's 3-pointer trim Phoenix's shortage to 22, but nan Fever went connected an 11-3 burst, capped by Boston's putback pinch 3:01 near successful nan third. Mitchell drained a 3-pointer to springiness Indiana an 81-50 lead, but Phoenix vanished nan 3rd connected an 8-0 run. 

The Mercury continued their tally into nan fourth, scoring nan first 9 points to trim their shortage to 81-67 connected Cunningham's heavy 3-pointer pinch 7:27 left.

Another Cunningham trey trim Indiana's lead to 85-74 astatine nan 5:31 mark, earlier Mercury defender Kahleah Copper's pullup jumper trimmed nan shortage to azygous digits for nan first clip since midway done nan 2nd quarter.

Copper, who had 36 points connected 11 of 25 shooting, made 2 free throws and a reverse layup to propulsion wrong 85-81 pinch 3:12 remaining, earlier Smith's overmuch needed hook changeable gave Indiana a six-point lead.

Boston deed a jumper pinch astir 2 minutes to play, and Mitchell drained a triple pinch 1:33 near for immoderate breathing room astatine 92-83.