Caitlin Clark Scores Just Six as Fever Suffer Heavy Defeat to Fire

PORTLAND, Ore. — Megan Gustafson put on a stellar performance with 22 points, leading the Portland Fire to a commanding 100-84 triumph over the Indiana Fever on Saturday night. Portland’s defense was particularly effective against Indiana’s star, Caitlin Clark, restricting her to just six points.

Carla Leite was instrumental in the victory, contributing 18 points and dishing out 12 assists, while Emily Engstler showcased her prowess with 16 points and 10 rebounds. These achievements marked the first double-doubles for the recently established Fire team, which has now secured victories in four of its last five matchups.

Aliyah Boston was a standout for the Fever, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the effort.

Clark, limited to 22 minutes on the floor, struggled with her shooting, managing only 1 of 7 from the field. She added two rebounds and six assists to her stat line but found herself in foul trouble, accumulating four fouls by the third quarter and ending the game with five.

She got into foul trouble, collecting her fourth in the third quarter, and finished with five.

The Fever were coming off a 90-88 loss at the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday night.

The Fire jumped out to a 29-15 lead after the first quarter after a layup from Gustafson, who led all players with eight points in the quarter.

Portland’s dominance continued in the second quarter, with Sarah Ashlee Barker’s 3-pointer putting the Fire up 44-26 with four minutes to go before the half.

After leading 50-37 at the break. the Fire stretched the lead to 25 points in the third quarter. Barker capped the period with another 3-pointer that put the crowd at the Moda Center on its feet.

With the Fire up 98-79 in the fourth quarter, coach Alex Sarama sat most of his starters.

Clark did not play in the Fever’s May 21 game against the Fire in Indianapolis because of a back issue. The Fever disclosed her injury less than two hours before tipoff, prompting a warning from the WNBA the next day for not reporting the injury sooner.

The Fever beat Portland 90-73 without Clark.

The game was a sellout with 19,347 at the Moda Center.