The No. 22 was the talk of the town at Capital One Arena on Friday night, as the highly anticipated Caitlin Clark show took center stage. The arena was buzzing with excitement as fans flocked to see the WNBA phenom in action. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, along with Washington Mystics owners Sheila Johnson and Ted Leonsis, were among the notable attendees. Even legendary musician Bootsy Collins made a halftime appearance to add to the star-studded atmosphere.
Clark did not disappoint the crowd, putting on a show with a career-high 30 points for the Indiana Fever in their 85-83 victory over the Mystics. The game drew a record-breaking crowd of 20,333, the highest attendance for a WNBA game since 2007. Clark’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as she showcased her scoring prowess with seven three-pointers and a well-rounded stat line of 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Despite the loss, the Mystics showed resilience and determination, with Ariel Atkins leading the charge with 16 points. Coach Eric Thibault praised the team’s effort and acknowledged the tough competition they faced. Stefanie Dolson also had a standout game for the Mystics, scoring a season-high 19 points and matching a career-high with five three-pointers.
The Mystics now look ahead to their next challenge as they travel to New York to take on the Liberty. With the team’s spirits high and a strong fan base behind them, the Mystics are determined to turn their season around and secure their first win. The stage is set for an exciting matchup as the Mystics continue to fight for victory in the competitive WNBA season.