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Golden State Defense Stifles Fever as Clark Struggles in Groin-Injury Return

Stephanie White plans to split ball-handling duties by deploying Clark off the ball to manage her minutes more effectively

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Caitlin Clark dribbles the ball up the court against Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 9, 2025.
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Overview

  • Veronica Burton spearheaded the Valkyries with a career-high five 3-pointers on her way to 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists in an 80-61 win.
  • Golden State turned a 23-14 deficit into control with a 33-9 run spanning late in the first quarter through early in the third, holding Indiana to a season-low 30.9 percent shooting.
  • Clark logged 10 points, six assists and four turnovers in 25 minutes and has gone 3-for-28 from three over her last four games, the lowest four-game three-point percentage in WNBA history.
  • The Fever managed just 26 points in the paint after leading the league in that category, highlighting broader lapses in energy, discipline and execution.
  • White experimented with dual primary ball handlers by pairing Aari McDonald with Clark and shifting Clark’s role off the ball to spare her legs and improve floor spacing.