The Indiana Fever arrested their two-game slide as they defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday. The Fever were coming off back-to-back defeats against the Atlanta Dream.
Indiana started flat, trailing by as much as 16 points in the first quarter. The team struggled from the floor, scoring only six points on two field goals, as the Mercury displayed aggressiveness and dictated the pace.
The Fever came alive in the second quarter, outscoring the Mercury, 35-22, to tie the count at halftime, 41-41.
Despite their rally, Caitlin Clark was still displeased with their performance.
“First quarter was embarrassing. We gotta be able to space the floor, make open shots, and get downhill,” said Clark in the interview with USA Sports.
"First quarter was embarrassing."
Caitlin Clark ignites the offense with 15 PTS in the second quarter. Now going into the half tied 41-41 against the Mercury. pic.twitter.com/TCBTMJ2ooj
— USA Sports (@usasports) June 23, 2026
Indiana responded even better in the third frame, pouring it on Phoenix, 30-11, to break the game open.
The Mercury made a surge in the final period, but it was too late. The Fever leaned on their big cushion and completed the come-from-behind victory.
Clark finished with 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, three rebounds, and nine assists. Kelsey Mitchell added 22 points, while Monique Billings stepped up with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
They improved to 10-7, including 7-3 at home. The Mercury, on the other hand, suffered their fifth loss in six games and dropped to 5-13.
The Fever are still trying to find their momentum in what has been an up-and-down campaign. They had a four-game winning streak, their longest so far, before losing to the Dream in back-to-back meetings.
They will have a rematch against Phoenix on Wednesday.
The post Caitlin Clark drops harsh take after Fever’s ugly start vs. Mercury appeared first on ClutchPoints.
