Sparks lose again as Caitlin Clark has a triple-double for Fever

INDIANAPOLIS — The Sparks can only hope they get the chance to see Paige Bueckers do for them what Caitlin Clark is doing for the Indiana Fever.

Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the playoff-bound Indiana Fever beat the last-place Sparks, 93-86, on Wednesday night.

Clark made her second 3-pointer of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102 and finish 4 for 10 from long range. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie with 100 3-point baskets.

She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season, joining Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams, Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.

Aliyah Boston had 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Fever (18-16), who secured a playoff spot Monday night when Atlanta and Chicago lost. Indiana has won five straight for the first time since 2015 and is 10-1 at home since June 1.

Odyssey Sims had 20 points and six assists to lead the Sparks (7-26), who are going to have a good chance to land the top pick in next spring’s WNBA draft – widely expected to be Connecticut star Bueckers.

Dearica Hamby had 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Rae Burrell added 16 points for the Sparks, who have lost five in a row on the road and are 2-15 away from home this season. Azura Stevens had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Kia Nurse added 13 points.

Clark made two free throws with 16.4 seconds left for a seven-point lead. Kia Nurse was long on a 3-pointer at the other end and Clark grabbed the rebound to complete the triple-double.

“Of course I knew, but honestly, like, we were just trying to get stops,” Clark said in a courtside interview.

Clark also made a key defensive play when she poked a pass away in the paint and found Boston for a layup and a 91-84 lead with 25.2 seconds left.

Kelsey Mitchell added 18 points for Indiana, coming two points shy of her eighth straight 20-point game. NaLyssa Smith scored 13 points.