Overview
- The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Indiana Fever 106-92 on Wednesday, led by Nneka Ogwumike’s 24 points, Rae Burrell’s 22 and Dearica Hamby’s 21 as every Sparks player who saw the floor scored.
- Caitlin Clark returned from a back issue but was limited to about 16 minutes and finished with nine points, four rebounds, three assists and four turnovers because the team used short, stop-start stints to protect her conditioning.
- Indiana scratched All-Star center Aliyah Boston for the game with a right-leg issue but expects her to play in the Fever’s next contest in Phoenix, while Sophie Cunningham was questionable after pregame back spasms and ultimately entered the game.
- Los Angeles produced an efficient inside and transition attack without starters Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink, scoring heavily in the paint and on fast breaks to exploit Indiana’s missing interior presence.
- The cautious handling of Clark drew social media criticism, and coaches stressed the decision reflects Clark’s recent injury history and a congested schedule that the Fever say they must manage to protect her availability later in the season.