Caitlin Clark scores 45 points in Fever’s 110-107 win over Storm while on minutes restriction

Caitlin Clark scored 45 points and recorded 10 assists to lead the Indiana Fever to a 110-107 victory over the Seattle Storm on July 17. She finished 11 of 18 from the field, including 6 of 10 from three-point range, and made 17 of 19 free throws while adding four steals. The outing marked the first 40-point, 10-assist game in WNBA history and Clark's first 40-point game in her three-year career.

It also set an Indiana Fever franchise record for points in a game. Clark reached 200 career three-pointers during the first half and became the fastest player to that milestone. Clark returned from a two-week absence caused by a back injury she sustained after taking a hit to the throat from Alyssa Thomas in a June game against Phoenix.

Thomas received a one-game suspension for the incident. Clark played all but 26 seconds of the fourth quarter and scored 16 points in the period. With the score tied in the final minute, Clark blocked a breakaway layup attempt by Flau'jae Johnson.

She then hit a three-pointer with 39.1 seconds left to give the Fever a 105-102 lead and made all four free throws in the final 17 seconds, according to AP reporting. Indiana coach Stephanie White said Clark appeared “bouncy” before the game. Clark told White at halftime that she felt good and did not want to come out in the fourth quarter.

“I can trust all the work I’ve put in on my body,” Clark said. Kelsey Mitchell scored 30 points for the Fever, including 17 in the first quarter. Makayla Timpson started in place of the injured Aliyah Boston.

The Fever improved to 15-10 and moved into a tie with the Atlanta Dream for first place in the Eastern Conference. Indiana hosts the New York Liberty on July 18.