Mystics withstand a historic effort from Caitlin Clark to beat the Fever

Clark got loose for 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots, but Ariel Atkins and the Mystics held on for an 89-84 win.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark became the first player in WNBA history with 25-plus points, 10-plus assists, five-plus rebounds, five-plus steals and five-plus three-pointers in a game, but Ariel Atkins and the Washington Mystics held on for an 89-84 win.

With only socks on her feet, Ariel Atkins casually walked across the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for her pregame media responsibilities Wednesday. Maybe the two-time WNBA all-star knew she would need to save as much tread as possible for game time.

The Washington Mystics leaned on Atkins, who essentially carried her team across the finish line as Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever mounted a furious comeback after trailing by 22 late in the third quarter. Atkins scored an efficient 26 points in the Mystics’ 89-84 victory, but many other things were necessary to keep the Fever at bay as Clark compiled an unprecedented stat line.

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