Caitlin Clark played a pivotal role in the Fever’s impressive comeback victory against the Sparks.

A record-breaking crowd of 19,103 filled Crypto.com Arena to witness the showdown between the Sparks, featuring No. 2 draft pick Cameron Brink, and the Indiana Fever, led by the top pick Caitlin Clark.

The intense atmosphere reminded Sparks coach Curt Miller of 2015, evoking memories of their championship journey. Every time Clark had possession, the crowd held its breath, anticipating something extraordinary.

Despite a challenging shooting performance, Clark made significant contributions with 11 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. Then, in a crucial moment, she seized the opportunity, sinking a pivotal three-pointer in transition after Rickea Jackson’s earlier three narrowed the Sparks’ lead to three points, igniting the crowd in L.A.

“I was excited to come here and play in this place, obviously so much history in this building,” Clark said. “The crowd was absolutely amazing.”

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The Sparks’ rookies, Brink and Jackson, also hit big shots to keep the team within striking distance as time ran down, but Clark delivered a dagger, stepping back and hitting a three-pointer with 40 seconds left to help seal the Fever’s first win and hand the Sparks their third loss in four games.

“That third quarter really set the tone for the rest of the game. We got out-toughed at both ends of the court,” Miller said. “They just sped us up with their physicality and made it difficult for our wings. … So hats off to the physicality of Indiana and scrapping to that victory.”

The Sparks got off to a quick start thanks to the play of Dearica Hamby, who had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists in the first half as the team cruised to a comfortable lead at the break. Jackson and Brink weren’t far behind with seven and six points, respectively. Brink also chipped in six rebounds and a blocked shot.

Whatever was working for them in the first half however, was unsustainable. The Sparks turned the ball over 13 times in the second half. Hamby made two free throws in the closing seconds but otherwise was held scoreless in the second half, which she attributed to a combination of fatigue and frustration.

“That’s where I got to be better,” Hamby said. “I’m not used to being in this position to take that load, so that’s a learning adjustment that I’m going to have to take on. I can’t allow me not touching the ball to frustrate [me] and have lapses on defense. I’ll be better.”

Indiana stormed out of the gates to start the second half with a 9-0 run led by Kelsey Mitchell (18 points), Aliyah Boston (17 points, six rebounds), last season’s No.1 draft pick, and center Temi Fagbenle (17 points, six rebounds, three assists) to start the third quarter and tie the score.

“That’s a credit to Temi’s motor,” Miller said of Fagbenle’s performance. “Temi’s physicality and her rim running bothered us. We talked a lot about it going into the game … [she] really made things happen.”

Jackson got the lead back on a three, the Sparks’ first points of the second half, five minutes into the third. The rookies led the charge offensively, each making huge plays in crunch time. Jackson finished with 16 points and Brink 15.

“There was flashes for both of them to have really good nights,” Miller said. “Cam’s line, 15 and nine, and I think she could’ve been even more dominant. And then Rickea made some big baskets for us, so you see that potential. They’re going to be big for us all year, and I think both of them would say that they can play better.”

Jackson said she’s focused on how to convert early losses into wins.

“We didn’t get the win, so I’m not excited or ecstatic about that,” she said. “But I feel like we’re just going to keep growing and learn from our mistakes today.”

The Sparks host the Dallas Wings on Sunday before a rematch against Clark and the Fever in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times