The Indiana Fever have their final game of the 2024 regular season against the Washington Mystics on Thursday. Given that Indiana has already locked up the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, this game is essentially meaningless for them (aside from the fact that they'll finish the year with a record over .500 if they win, but that's semantics). Therefore, it's unlikely that most of the Fever's top players (like Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell) will play anywhere close to their average minutes per game against Washington.
What's for sure is that the Fever's morale appears to be high on Thursday. This is proven by a clip of Fever player Katie Lou Samuelson getting Clark sprawled out on the ground and placed in a chokehold during Indiana's pregame shootaround. The Washington Post's Kareem Copeland posted a video of this exchange on X with the caption, "Gonna go out on a limb and say Caitlin Clark and the Fever are loose before tonight’s regular season finale as they’ve already locked up the No. 6 seed." The video shows Clark tapping out to Samuelson's choke, the two getting up with big smiles on their faces, then Clark running back to one side of the court. While Fever head coach Christie Sides could reasonably be worried about her franchise player getting hurt in this exchange, her laughing and clapping in the background shows that she's not too concerned. Given how stressful it must have been for Indiana to climb back into playoff position after starting the season with a 1-8 record, they deserve to let loose a little bit on Thursday before the playoffs begin.
The 28thWNBA season wraps up tomorrow, marking an end to a historic year. Since the WNBA Draft on April 15th, which was the most-watched draft in league history with 2.4 million viewers, it was clear that this season would be one for the books. Much of the season's success is attributed to Caitlin Clark, the number one draft pick, who has been the key driver behind record-breaking viewership, merchandise sales, and fan engagement. Clark was the most-voted player for the All-Star game, which also became the most-watched in history. The "Clark effect" has been a major success, so much so that the WNBA recently announced an expansion team in Portland, making it the league's 15th franchise.
Not only has Clark shattered records in terms of sales and viewership, but she has also broken or tied multiple rookie, season, and all-time records on the court during her rookie season. Over the course of 39 games, her leadership has grown alongside her teammates, most notably in their last game. During a recent Indiana Fever timeout, fans noticed Clark seemingly taking over as coach, raising questions about who is really calling the shots-her or head coach Christie Sides, judge by yourself. The two have had their moments of tension throughout the season, as Clark navigated the challenges of her first year as a pro. Earlier in the season, when the Fever started 1-8, fans criticized Sides for not bringing out the best in Clark. However, the team has found its rhythm since returning from the Olympic break. They recently secured their 20th win of the season, clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. A win in their final game would give them their 21st victory, the most since 2012.
As the regular season ends tomorrow, the Indiana Fever (20-19) have already secured the 6th seed and will likely face the Connecticut Sun (27-12)in the playoffs, the first team Caitlin Clark played against in her professional career. In their final matchup against the Washington Mystics (13-26), Clark has the chance to set another record. With 120 three-pointers made this season, she needs just nine more to surpass the 128 that Sabrina Ionescu set last year. If she hits all nine, it would also be the most 3-pointers made by a rookie in a game, breaking her own record of seven, which she set against the Mystics months ago.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and forward Katie Lou Samuelson took part in a grappling exchange at practice on Thursday ahead of the regular season's final game. With the Fever sitting in playoff contention ahead of the WNBA postseason, it seems the team is all smiles ahead of tonight's game. Although it's unclear what transpired before the video starts, once it begins, Clark is seen at the bottom with Samuelson at the top. Samuelson sinks in a choke, forcing Clark to tap out. After the morning shootaround, Caitlin Clark and the Fever will be back in action tonight at 7 p.m. ET when they take on the Washington Mystics. While Clark and the Fever have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, the Mystics are looking for a win to clinch a postseason spot. The eighth seed belongs to the Atlanta Dream, which is one game ahead in the standings. With the Dream, the Mystics and the Chicago Sky all vying for a postseason spot, tonight's slate of WNBA action seems poised to produce fireworks.
The mood for the Indiana Fever was very casual and lighthearted on Thursday before the regular season finale in the nation’s capital. During practice before facing the Washington Mystics, Clark was jumped on and made to tap out by her own teammate in a hilarious moment. Then the 22-year-old rookie sensation then showed up to the arena looking like a surfer girl. Clark rocked Nike’s mid-rise cargo pants and a Nike dri-fit short sleeve T-shirt. She looks like she plays: In total control. Clark came into Thursday averaging 19.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. She’s the frontrunner for WNBA Rookie of the Year, but not far off from an MVP season even if she’s shocked by the current rankings. With the Fever locked into the No. 6 seed, it’s good to keep things light before the playoffs start.
The Caitlin Clark de-escalation committee is practicing new techniques heading into the playoffs 👀 pic.twitter.com/JSRZezFkXW
That’s great, just don’t get Clark injured having too much fun. It’s usually Clark who’s the one joking around as evident by her birthday song and adorable “carried away” moment for bestie Lexie Hull. The 22-year-old All-Star even arrived at the arena in the nation’s capital with a casual “lowkey” fit. Caitlin Clark lowkey pregame fit 🔥🫶 pic.twitter.com/LDJ47MNkEq
Here’s another look:
September 19, 2024: @CaitlinClark22 #FeverRising vs Mystics | Washington DC | wearing @Nike Sportswear Everything Wovens Women's Mid-Rise Cargo Pant. Shop: $90 https://t.co/VF26HxBGmh #NikePartner “I like it, so I got it in a different color!” on full display here.🎥:… pic.twitter.com/B9whIY0LmL
Katie Lou Samuelson has struggled to find a consistent role in the WNBA. After being drafted fourth overall in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, she wound up playing just one year with the team before landing in Dallas. Despite improving her stats and receiving a bump in minutes per game, Samuelson played for the Seattle Storm the next year. While her stats showed improvement, with a jump from 5.0 points to 7.0 ppg and a career-high 3.5 rebounds per game, she was traded yet again. This time, she landed in LA, where she had the best year of her career. In 32 games for the Sparks in 2022, Samuelson averaged a career-high 9.7 ppg, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. The following season, she took a year of maternity leave, which allowed her to sign with the Indiana Fever for the 2024 season. Since then, she and Caitlin Clark have formed a close friendship. With a chance to make waves in the postseason, all eyes will be on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the postseason.
