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Valkyries’ Defense Dominates as Caitlin Clark Returns and Confronts Referee

The game underscores Golden State’s rise as a defensive force, raising fresh questions about Clark’s minutes management and how officials police physical play.

Overview

  • Golden State beat the Indiana Fever 88-75 on Wednesday, extended its winning streak to eight games and improved to 18-7 in the standings.
  • Caitlin Clark returned on a roughly 25-minute restriction, left briefly after taking a knee to the quad, confronted referee Gerda Gatling and received a warning before returning to the game.
  • Clark shot 4-of-14 with one 3-pointer for 13 points, added six assists and four turnovers, continuing an uneven stretch since she returned from a back issue.
  • The Valkyries relied on balanced defense to win, holding the Fever to 40.3 percent shooting and continuing a season-long trend that has produced a league-leading defensive rating of about 100.4 points allowed per 100 possessions.
  • The sequence deepens two ongoing storylines: Indiana’s effort to protect Clark with limited minutes while preserving team consistency, and escalating scrutiny of officiating after a series of high-profile physical plays involving Clark this season.