INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Fever lost their second straight game on Wednesday, losing 80-61 against the Golden State Valkyries at home.

The Fever had previously won four of their last five games before the two game skid, including a win against the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

After the loss, the Fever are back to being below .500, with a record of 9-10.

For Fever head coach Stephanie White, it was the little things that was the most frustrating after the loss.

“The competitiveness and the attention to detail and willingness to play with multiple levels of effort, you know, prime example’s when we get defensive stops but then they get multiple offensive rebounds,” White said. “That’s want to. That’s competitive fire. And that’s unacceptable.”

The Valkyries had 11 offensive rebounds and 13 second chance points.

White continued to double down on her disappointment with the lack of competitive fire.

“Our attention to detail was poor,” White said. “I’m not sure if it’s not knowing the gameplan, because if it’s not knowing the gameplan, that’s a whole other conversation, as much as not executing the gameplan. Our attention to detail. Undisciplined. I felt like our energy, and our competitive fire, was not there, and that’s disappointing.”

“I think this is a group that focuses, but you can focus and then you have to be to go out and be disciplined enough to execute it.”

Fever star Caitlin Clark returned to the lineup in the loss. She had missed five straight games with a left groin injury.

“There’s always going to be adjustments when you’re working people back into the lineup,” White said.

White added that she thought there were periods of time that Clark looked good.

“I felt pretty good… Just trying to get my legs under me there in the fourth quarter and get my wind back a little bit, which will come over the next few games,” Clark said.

Clark finished with 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

The Fever return to action on Friday at home against the Atlanta Dream.

More Fever coverage

Caitlin Clark’s return spoiled by Fever’s 19-point loss to Valkyries

Caitlin Clark selects teammates Boston, Mitchell in All-Star draft

WATCH: Fever guard Caitlin Clark shows off football skills

About The Author

See author's posts