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6d ago

Valkyries Hold Off Fever as Caitlin Clark Reaches 1,000/500 Mark but Skips Postgame Media

Golden State’s physical, multi-player defensive plan curtailed Clark’s shot-making and illustrated how opponents are changing game plans to limit the league’s highest-profile player.

May 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever walks to the locker room at halftime of a game against the Golden State Valkyries on May 28, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
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Overview

  • Golden State beat the Indiana Fever 90-88 on May 29, with Veronica Burton scoring 25 points and recording a career-best five blocked shots while Gabby Williams added 19 points and six assists.
  • Caitlin Clark became the fastest player to reach 1,000 points and 500 assists in WNBA history in the first half but finished with a season-low 16 points on 3-for-12 shooting and committed five turnovers.
  • Coach Natalie Nakase publicly outlined a plan to 'put a lot of different bodies on' Clark and the Valkyries executed repeated double-teams and traps that helped produce a franchise-high 11 blocks.
  • Reporters said the Fever did not make Clark available to speak after the game, a break with her usual postgame access that is being reviewed under WNBA media rules and could prompt a fine based on past precedent.
  • The outcome and postgame episode deepen questions about Clark’s consistency, the Fever’s handling of player availability after earlier May injury-report concerns, and how teams will continue to target her going forward.