Caitlin Clark’s well being and taking pictures struggles proceed to be a prevailing storyline because the Indiana Fever put together to finish a street back-to-back in opposition to the New York Liberty on Wednesday.
Clark did rating 9 straight Indiana factors late within the fourth quarter Tuesday, pushing the Fever previous the Connecticut Solar 85-77 earlier than a sold-out crowd in Boston. However after feeding Kelsey Mitchell for a layup with 39.3 seconds left, Clark grabbed at her proper groin space.
Clark beforehand missed 4 regular-season video games and the Commissioner’s Cup remaining with a groin harm. Tuesday was her fourth recreation again.
“No replace,” Fever coach Stephanie White mentioned postgame. “Simply felt slightly one thing in her groin, so we’ll get it evaluated and see what occurs from there.”
The Fever (12-10) might decide to relaxation her vs. New York (14-6) given the fast turnaround and the WNBA All-Star break approaching. Clark was additionally confirmed to take part within the 3-point contest throughout All-Star festivities in Indianapolis on Friday.
Clark’s 3-point taking pictures positive is best in Indiana than overseas this 12 months. She has made 2 of 35 makes an attempt from lengthy vary on the street this season following a 1-for-7 exhibiting Tuesday.
Clark can be one of many captains and starters for Saturday’s All-Star Recreation. The defending champion Liberty have a number of representatives going to Indianapolis this weekend, however generally it is their depth scorers who save the day.
Leonie Fiebich scored a career-high 21 factors in a comeback win over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, after the Liberty fell behind by as many as 19 factors within the second quarter and by 11 at halftime.
Fiebich shot 3-for-3 with two 3-pointers within the third interval to assist the Liberty flip the tables and draw back for a 79-72 win. It was the German ahead’s first time main the staff in scoring this 12 months.
“Love all the pieces about Leo and what she brings to this staff. She’s the last word skilled, how she comes able to play and selfless,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello mentioned. “We’re encouraging her to shoot, clearly, and put her within the actions there as a result of she’s probably the most pure shooter I’ve ever seen.”
An All-Rookie choice and runner-up for Sixth Participant of the 12 months in 2024, Fiebich is averaging 8.3 factors and 4.2 rebounds per recreation and taking pictures 50 p.c from deep (21 of 42).
“It helps when it goes in and I’ve the boldness to shoot one other one,” Fiebich mentioned. “However I feel what actually made us good in that third quarter is (Breanna Stewart) mentioning the ball, being the purpose guard and having her simply initiating the motion and making actually good selections.”
Stewart, in fact, is generally an influence ahead and is heading to her seventh All-Star Recreation this weekend. So is Sabrina Ionescu, who’s averaging 18.8 factors per recreation however shot 3-for-20 total and 0-for-7 from the arc in opposition to Atlanta.
–Discipline Stage Media