Clark Leads Indiana Over Sky in Season Opener \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Caitlin Clark opened her season with a dominant triple-double, leading the Indiana Fever to a commanding 93–58 win over the Chicago Sky. A heated moment with Angel Reese highlighted the game’s intensity, as Indiana pulled away in the second half. Coach Stephanie White celebrated her return to Indiana with a resounding victory.
Quick Looks
- Clark tallies 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 blocks.
- Aliyah Boston adds 19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks.
- Natasha Howard contributes 15 points in Fever debut.
- DeWanna Bonner moves to 3rd all-time in scoring.
- Angel Reese posts 12 points, 17 rebounds for Sky.
- Clark-Reese rivalry flares with hard foul, double techs.
- Fever end third quarter on dominant 9-0 run.
- Sky unable to recover; Indiana pulls away for good.
- Stephanie White earns first win in coaching return.
- Fever’s revamped roster shows early-season promise.
Deep Look
The highly anticipated 2025 WNBA season tipped off with fireworks, and no game delivered more headlines—or drama—than the Indiana Fever’s 93–58 rout of the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Powered by a sensational triple-double from Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s revamped roster sent a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re no longer a work in progress—they’re a problem.
Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, finished the night with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while also recording a career-high four blocked shots, putting on a dazzling all-around display that reminded fans why she’s one of the most transformative players the league has seen in years.
But this wasn’t just about numbers. This game had rivalry, history, and high stakes, with Clark and fellow sophomore star Angel Reese of the Sky reigniting one of the sport’s most talked-about showdowns—one that originated in the NCAA and is now a centerpiece of the WNBA’s narrative.
Clark Leads the Charge in Fever’s Second-Half Surge
The game was competitive early, with both teams exchanging blows throughout the first half. But it was the Fever who completely flipped the script in the final 16½ minutes, outscoring the Sky 46–19 in that span.
Clark’s leadership was central to that surge. She orchestrated the Fever offense with poise and creativity, threading passes to teammates in transition, pulling up from deep, and locking in defensively—an area of her game that critics had questioned during her rookie campaign.
“I feel more complete this year,” Clark said after the game. “I worked on my defense, I worked on being stronger, and I’m trying to bring energy on both ends.”
Her ability to impact the game in every statistical category validated those offseason improvements. The Iowa legend, who brought millions of new fans to women’s basketball, is showing that her sophomore year may surpass even her headline-making rookie debut.
Boston and Howard Dominate the Paint
While Clark was the centerpiece, she wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Aliyah Boston, Indiana’s other franchise cornerstone, delivered one of her most commanding performances to date with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Boston’s strength and timing made it nearly impossible for Chicago to generate easy looks in the paint.
Making her debut in a Fever uniform, Natasha Howard added 15 points, complementing Boston perfectly with her quickness, rebounding, and hustle plays. Together, the trio of Clark, Boston, and Howard set the tone for Indiana’s physical, high-tempo identity that overwhelmed the Sky in the second half.
“That’s the team we envision,” said head coach Stephanie White. “When Caitlin is creating, Aliyah is commanding the paint, and Natasha brings that veteran edge, we’re a tough out.”
Bonner Makes History with Milestone Scoring Mark
The game also featured a significant career milestone for WNBA veteran DeWanna Bonner, who scored seven points to move into third on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, passing league legend Tina Thompson.
With 7,489 career points, Bonner now trails only Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles, cementing her place in league history. Though not the focal point in Saturday’s win, Bonner’s longevity and production remain invaluable to the Fever’s veteran core.
The Rivalry Returns: Clark vs. Reese Takes Center Stage
The national spotlight was also drawn by the renewed intensity between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, two players whose NCAA rivalry helped elevate women’s basketball to new cultural heights. Their latest chapter was written with 4:38 left in the third quarter when Clark delivered a hard foul to Reese’s arm, knocking her to the floor and jarring the ball loose.
Reese sprang to her feet and approached Clark, who turned and walked away as Aliyah Boston quickly intervened, preventing further escalation. After review, Clark’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, while both Reese and Boston were issued technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“It’s part of the game,” Clark later said. “It was a hard foul, but there was no bad intent.”
While Reese didn’t address the media postgame, she finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds, once again displaying her gritty rebounding prowess and aggressive interior play. But her impact was muted after the altercation, as the Fever seized momentum and closed the quarter on a 9–0 run that effectively ended Chicago’s chances.
Sky Struggle in First Look at New Roster
Chicago entered the season with a revamped roster, leaning on young talent like Reese and veterans like Ariel Atkins and Courtney Vandersloot. But the Sky looked disjointed for much of the night, especially in the second half, where they managed just 19 total points.
Atkins added 11 points, but Chicago’s offense sputtered against Indiana’s improved team defense. The Sky committed multiple turnovers in key moments and struggled to defend the pick-and-roll—a staple of Clark and Boston’s offensive chemistry.
Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon acknowledged her team’s need to build continuity, but said she remains optimistic about the long season ahead.
Stephanie White’s Homecoming Begins with a Statement
Saturday’s win held extra meaning for Stephanie White, who returned to Indiana to begin her second stint as Fever head coach. White, a 1994-95 Miss Indiana Basketball winner, led Purdue to a national championship in 1999 and previously coached the Fever from 2014 to 2016, taking them to the WNBA Finals in her final season.
Her return represents a full-circle moment, and her team’s dominant performance against a hyped opponent showed she’s already instilling discipline, toughness, and composure.
“This is a team that’s growing together,” White said. “They’re learning how to handle the spotlight, how to win big games, and how to stay focused. We’re just getting started.”
WNBA Landscape Shifting With Rising Stars
Clark and Reese are at the forefront of a youth movement reshaping the WNBA. The league, now in its 29th season, is experiencing a surge in viewership, ticket sales, and social media engagement, much of it fueled by young stars who built massive followings during their college careers.
Saturday’s game was part of a broader weekend slate that showcased the league’s growing parity and star power. While Clark-Reese remains the headline matchup, the underlying story is how the WNBA’s next generation is now leading its most important teams.
With expanded media coverage, national TV slots, and an influx of new fans, the Fever-Sky rivalry has a chance to anchor the league’s narrative for years to come.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Indiana Fever will look to build on their dominant opener when they face the Phoenix Mercury in their next outing. With momentum on their side, Clark and company will be aiming for a fast start to the season—something the franchise has lacked in recent years.
The Chicago Sky, meanwhile, return to the drawing board as they prepare to take on the Seattle Storm. They’ll hope to improve offensive efficiency and cohesion, while continuing to develop chemistry between veterans and their young stars.
For fans, one thing is clear: the WNBA’s new era has officially begun, and it’s being led by bold, magnetic talents who aren’t afraid to compete hard—and occasionally clash—on the biggest stage.
Clark Leads Indiana Clark Leads Indiana
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