Jump-started by Caitlin Clark’s first triple-double of the season, the Indiana Fever extended their winning streak to five games with a 112-98 decision over the host Portland Fire on Friday. Clark put up 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The Fever broke their own WNBA offensive records on Friday, rewriting league marks with a fifth straight 100-plus-point game and their 13th such game on the season. Indiana (19-10) scored the last eight points of the first half to claim a 56-47 halftime edge. The Fever stretched the gap to 20 points in the opening minute of the fourth quarter before Portland pulled within 100-93 on a Bridget Carleton layup with 2:49 remaining. The Fire were poised to take possession again after an offensive-foul call, but a review overturned the ruling and gave the Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell a pair of free throws that she sank. Indiana then pulled away. Portland (11-18) dropped its fourth game in a row, allowing an opponent to reach 100 points for the third time in that span (with the fourth opponent scoring 98). The Fire entered play on Friday third-worst in the WNBA in scoring defence, allowing 90.9 points per game. Clark was strong early, putting up 17 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Seven of her assists came after halftime. On the night, she shot 5-for-9 from the floor and connected on 14 of 17 free-throw tries in posting her fourth career triple-double. Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points for the Fever, shooting 4-for-12 from 3-point range. Monique Billings chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds. Aliyah Boston returned from a knee injury in the first half of the Fever’s previous game to post 14 points, nine boards and six assists. Indiana reserves Makayla Timpson and Sophie Cunningham also reached double-digit scoring. Timpson scored 15 on 7-for-8 shooting, while Cunningham drained 3 of 5 3-point tries en route to 13 points. The Fire were led by 26 points from Carleton, who wound up 7-for-11 from beyond the arc. Carla Leite notched 20 points and 12 assists in the loss, and reserve Katie Samuelson added 13 points, connecting on 3 of 8 from long range. Emily Engstler, Nyadiew Puoch and Serah Williams each scored 10 points for Portland. Field Level Media
