The Indiana Fever needed a response. Three days after blowing a 12-point lead in an 83-75 loss to the New York Liberty, Caitlin Clark and her team traveled to Washington looking to stop the bleeding. The Mystics had already beaten the Fever in a 104-102 overtime thriller back on May 15, making this Commissioner’s Cup matchup feel personal. What unfolded at CareFirst Arena on Monday night was the kind of game that defines careers, and Clark made sure it went her way.
Caitlin Clark Hits Deep Game-Winning Three After Missed Free Throws
Clark had come under significant fire in recent weeks, not only for some on-court struggles, but her behavior toward officials, coaches, and teammates. After a 4-2 start, the Fever were 1-3 in their last four games entering the contest.
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None of that past noise mattered in the final seconds. The Fever had led by as many as 17 points but watched that advantage evaporate. With 41.4 seconds left, Shakira Austin converted a layup to give Washington a 74-73 lead. Clark then drew a foul but missed both free throws, handing the Mystics a golden opening.
Caitlin Clark’s Buzzer-Beating Triple Lifts Fever Past Mystics in Thriller (Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
But the game was not done with Clark. She started on the baseline, set a decoy screen for Lexie Hull which worked perfectly, then ran off a screen from Aliyah Boston on the far wing. When Cotie McMahon’s attempt to jump the passing lane failed, Clark had the floor to herself. She set her feet and let it fly from 31 feet. Nothing but net.
Clark said postgame, “Cotie almost got a fingertip on it. It kind of worked out perfectly that she went for the steal, and honestly, probably the most wide open shot I had all night, so my hands got a little clammy, but still went in, I guess.”
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Clark finished with 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists, shooting 7-of-16 from the field. It was her first career game-winning shot in the WNBA.
Sydney Johnson Physically Held Back Before Police Escort
The Fever’s clutch win came against a Mystics team already carrying the weight of a very public meltdown just two nights earlier. And the chaos surrounding Washington’s bench had a direct connection to Monday’s matchup.
On Saturday, Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson got into a prolonged argument with officials. He had to be held back by his assistant coaches but kept pressing toward the referees. He received two technical fouls and was promptly ejected. That only added fuel to the fire, and Johnson continued scolding the referees. It reached the point where some of his own players were trying to calm him down. Three officers working security helped usher him toward the locker room.
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Afterward, Johnson told reporters, “I lost my cool. There’s nothing more than that. That’s it. Officials did what was appropriate, and that’s all I can say.”
Washington came into Monday’s game fresh off that 32-point loss to the Atlanta Dream. They nearly completed the comeback before Clark ended the night from deep.
The Fever improve to 6-5 on the season with the win, while the Mystics fall to 4-6. Indiana returns home next, where they will look to build on the momentum of Clark’s first career game-winner. Washington will need to regroup quickly with a packed schedule ahead.
