Fever on Track to Claim Unwanted Record After Caitlin Clark’s Return Following Blowout Loss to Sparks

July 9, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Caitlin Clark - Image © Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark returned on Wednesday to play her first game since Jun. 24. However, the Los Angeles Sparks spoiled the superstar’s anticipated return by upsetting the Indiana Fever 106-92, without their best player and leading scorer, Kelsey Plum. It was the Fever’s eighth game this season in which they conceded 100-plus points.

They have matched the Detroit Shock’s record with the second-most games in a season while allowing 100-plus points. With one more loss like this, the Fever will match the Dallas Wings’ 2024 record of nine. The Fever still have 23 games left, and with how their defense has looked, they could break the WNBA’s record for most losses in a season while their opponents score 100-plus points.

Visit betsport.cv for more information.

The Fever are average at best on defense when at full strength. They have a 106.4 defensive rating, which is eighth in the league. They are allowing 89.7 points per game, the most among teams with a winning record. Despite barrelling in the lower half of the standings, the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm have conceded fewer ppg than Indiana.

On Wednesday, the Fever struggled more as they were missing center Aliyah Boston. The Sparks exploited Indiana’s struggles on the interior, making 15 of their 40 field goals at the rim. The Sparks’ frontcourt trio of Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike and Rae Burrell combined to score 67 points between them on 53.0% field goal shooting.

Caitlin Clark fails to find a rhythm amid the minutes restriction

Caitlin Clark failed to find a rhythm in her first game back after two weeks. Clark had nine points, four rebounds, three assists and four turnovers, while shooting 4-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-6 from three-point range. Stephanie White played her in short bursts as the superstar guard was on a minutes restriction, playing only 15:39 minutes.

Kelsey Mitchell had a lot to shoulder with Aliyah Boston’s absence, and with Clark struggling in her limited minutes, it only made her task difficult. Nevertheless, Mitchell battled hard, scoring 29 points on 50.0% field goal shooting. She added four rebounds, three assists and two steals to her box score.

The Fever shot 42.9% from the field collectively. They didn’t match their playmaking standards with Clark not in rhythm, finishing with 18 assists, seven fewer than their counterparts.

Indiana will hope to bounce back when Aliyah Boston returns Thursday against the Phoenix Mercury on the second night of a back-to-back. However, Caitlin Clark will sit out that game as she manages her workload after returning from a two-week injury layoff.