Caitlin Clark records 5th straight double-double as Fever beat short-handed Mercury

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points, Caitlin Clark had 20 points and 13 assists for her fifth straight double-double and the Indiana Fever beat the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 95-86 on Friday night.

Kahleah Copper scored 20 of her 36 points in the fourth quarter as the Mercury (12-11) trimmed what had been a 31-point third-quarter deficit to single digits.

Mitchell gave the Fever (10-14) a 81-50 lead with 1:55 left in the third quarter before the Mercury scored the next 17 to get with in 81-67 on Sophie Cunningham’s three-pointer. Copper converted a shot in the lane with 5:02 left to get the Mercury within 85-76.

Clark tied the franchise record with her 13th assist on a cross-court pass to Mitchell for a three-pointer and a 92-83 lead with 1:33 left.

The Mercury’s comeback came without center Brittney Griner, who collided with a teammate in the first half and stayed on the floor before a timeout was called. The team announced Griner would not return due to a right hip injury. The Mercury were already without starters Diana Taurasi (leg) and Natasha Cloud (knee).

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts on center Brittney Griner who exited Friday’s game against the Indiana Fever with 6:38 left in the second quarter and did not return: “What I’ve been told is a strained groin, so we’ll see.”#WNBA #ValleyTogether

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) July 13, 2024

Copper scored 23 of her 36 points in the final 20 minutes.

Clark secured the double-double early in the third on a pass to Mitchell for a 62-40 lead. Clark also set a franchise record for assists in a quarter when she had seven in the first.

Aliyah Boston added 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Fever while NaLyssa Smith added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Cunningham added 21 points for the Mercury, who had won three in a row.

Clark completed a three-point play with eight seconds left in the first half as the Fever closed on a 10-2 run for a 55-35 lead. Mitchell scored 17 points in the first half, Clark had 15 and Boston added 10.

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