Ariel Atkins scored 26 points, including a crucial basket in the final minute, as the Washington Mystics held off the Indiana Fever 89-84 on Wednesday despite Caitlin Clark’s 29-point effort.
Washington was ahead 76-55 after three quarters, but Indiana mounted a comeback with Clark scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Clark set a WNBA record with 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five 3-pointers, five steals, and three blocks in a single game.
After Clark’s free throw narrowed Indiana’s deficit to 85-82 with 1:05 remaining, Atkins responded with a difficult shot in traffic.
Clark made two more free throws and a jump ball was called with 20.3 seconds left. Indiana’s Aliyah Boston tipped it back, but Atkins grabbed it and called a timeout with 16.9 seconds left.
Julie Vanloo received the inbound pass and made two free throws with 16.2 seconds left to secure a five-point lead for Washington.
Stefanie Dolson and Vanloo each contributed 13 points for Washington (6-17). Aaliyah Edwards scored 12 points, and Myisha Hines-Allen added 10. Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, and Karlie Samuelson were unavailable for the Mystics.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 15 points, and NaLyssa Smith added 11 for Indiana (9-14). Lexie Hull, making her first start of the season, finished with five points in 20 minutes.
