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It hasn’t exactly been the easiest start to the 2026 WNBA season for the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark.
After Clark missed most of 2025, expectations were high that she would return to her rookie season form for 2026. But after a strong start, the production has undeniably been uncharacteristically shaky and inconsistent for the 24-year-old superstar.
She had 20+ points in five straight games early in the year, but failed to reach that level in the four straight games that followed.
Despite a strong performance against the Golden State Valkyries, with 22 points, nine assists and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range, Clark struggled to maintain that momentum. She had five turnovers in the rematch against the Valkyries, then just six points against the Portland Fire on May 30.
CAITLIN CLARK HOLDS ONLY SIX POINTS IN BRUTAL LOSS OF FEVER BURST BY FIRE
Indiana Fever goalie Caitlin Clark plays at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on June 6, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
Saturday’s loss to the New York Liberty was a microcosm of Clark’s play thus far. Just 10 points on 28.6% from the field, 33.3% from three, three turnovers and five fouls. While a sign of her ability to contribute even when she’s not at her best, she added nine assists and seven rebounds.
Entering Monday, she was just 14-for-50 from the field in the Fever’s most recent games. More surprisingly, she was just 6 of 22 on 3-point attempts.
With the Fever just 5-5, Monday night’s game against the Washington Mystics was an important opportunity to get back on track. And that’s exactly what she did.
CAITLIN CLARK DEFENDS COACH STEPHANIE WHITE AFTER SIDELINE CONFRONTATION START DEBATE
Clark started strong, scoring 10 points in the first quarter, going 2-5 from three. Coach Stephanie White, however, left her on the bench for much of the second quarter, playing less than 4 minutes total. Although she still found a way to impress with an incredible pass to find Myisha Hines-Allen for a layup.
In the second half, however, she showed a little more of her trademark shooting. With seven minutes left in the third, Clark made a 25-foot jump shot, while Cassandre Prosper interfered with her ability to land. The foul was not ruled egregious and Clark completed the rare four-point play.
Although Fever took a sizable lead at that point, the Mystics fought back, cutting it to just two points midway through the fourth and one point with a minute remaining. Thanks to a lost ball foul, the Mystics took a one-point lead. But Clark made contact in the lane, allowing himself two free throws to give the Fever the lead again. He missed both.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark watches the Washington Mystics during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC on June 8, 2026. (Rafael Suanes/Imagn Images)
But again, even if something goes wrong with her filming, she found a way to contribute. After a Mystics turnover, Clark found Aliyah Boston with a nice pass in half court to make it 75-74 Fever.
The Mystics came right back, taking a 76-75 lead after a late foul. But then, the dagger. Sophie Cunningham threw a long crosscourt pass to Clark on an inbounds play, and she buried a 31-footer to give the Fever the win, 78-76.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts after making a three-pointer against the Washington Mystics during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC on June 8, 2026. (Rafael Suanes/Imagn Images)
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After a series of questionable performances, Monday was much closer to a return to form for Clark. 19 points on 7-16 shooting, 4 of 10 from 3, five assists and a steal. Including the incredible winner of the game.
With the win, the Fever improved to 6-5 heading into their next game Thursday against the Chicago Sky.
