Indiana Fever win preseason-opener as Caitlin Clark sits out

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever needed overtime to beat the Washington Mystics, 79-74, on Saturday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark sat out the game with a left leg injury. It was the first game Clark missed in her college and pro careers.

Guard Sophie Cunningham, making her Fever debut after an offseason trade from Phoenix, led Indiana with 21 points and eight rebounds, while guard Lexie Hull chipped in 13 points and All-Star Kelsey Mitchell added 12 points.

The Mystics led by as many as 15 points before the Fever rallied. Former Indiana draft pick Emily Engstler put Washington up 33-18 in the second quarter. The Fever managed to cut the deficit to three by halftime.

Indiana completed the rally, taking the lead on a Cunningham layup with under two minutes to play in the third quarter. The Fever had a 54-51 advantage after three.

The Mystics regained the lead in the fourth and led for most of the quarter. They were up 71-65 with under a minute to go, but Hull made four free throws and Cunningham sunk a pair to help force overtime.

Cunningham made two more free throws in the extra five minutes to give the Fever the lead for good. Forward Makayla Timpson added two free throws and Jaelyn Brown a jumper to provide the final margin of victory.

The Fever play again on Sunday when the team plays the Brazilian national team at the University of Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where Clark’s No. 22 jersey hangs from the rafters.