Caitlin Clark drops first 30-point, 12-assist game in WNBA HISTORY vs Angel Reese, Sky

halftime, and postgame coverage right here on CBS sports HQ. Well, it's the final regular season game between the fever and the Sky, and Caitlin Clark went off with 31 points. A career high also had 12 assists. It's now the first time the fever are 500. It's the first game of the season that they scored 100 points or more in the year. Special night for Caitlin Clark and the fever as they win 100 to 81, their largest margin of victory of the year. Angel Reese 23rd double double of the season a rookie record ten points, 11 boards. But Kelsey Mitchell was spectacular for the fever 23 points. Melissa Smith down low also 14 and seven. Great defense from Lexi Hall of course. Chicago without their star guard Kennedi Carter. Time now to bring in CBS sports WNBA analyst Terrika Foster-brasby to discuss the fever. Just handling the sky on Friday. So Caitlin, as we talked about, went off for a career high 31. Angel sets another record, but the fever win the season series 3 to 1. What stood out to you the most from this game? I really love the way that Indiana has figured out how to pick it up defensively. I think one of the biggest criticisms that you could have had about this team when they met in June, and all three of those previous matchups were in June, is that they really didn't do the best of jobs defensively. They were still allowing Angel to get off on the paint. And in that third matchup, Angel had 25 points and 16 boards. Kennedi Carter had 23 points. She was attacking the basket. It was very difficult for them to get some paint presence from the defensive end tonight. They very much had a presence on the defensive end, this fever team is really playing a style of basketball that is dangerous. As we look towards going into the postseason, they were crashing the boards. They were shooting the ball incredibly well. They were really making it difficult. I know that Angel Reese has a double double, but it was like last minute that she was able to notch that double double because they were giving her and Camila Cardoso some, some, some, some, some trouble down there inside in the paint. So I love what I'm seeing from this Indiana team as it relates to picking it up defensively. So they're picking up defensively. And that's something that Christie Sides has stressed before in the past. And right now they are clicking on that end as well as on the offensive end. But when it comes to rookie of the year I know it's gotten blown out of proportion so many times. But who would you pick right now? Yeah, right now I've got to give the edge to Caitlin Clark. I mean, not only is she playing incredibly well, but she's one of the catalysts for her team playing incredibly well. I look at someone like Kelsey Mitchell, who has been phenomenal since this season, has returned from the Olympic break and one of the reasons that she's able to get open and play so well is because she has a true point guard. And Caitlin Clark, who's done a great job of getting her the ball of drawing, the of drawing the attention, of creating some space, allowing Kelsey Mitchell to really do what she does well. And they figured out how to play with each other. Caitlin Clark has honestly shown up and shown out since this Olympic break. She has also taken the time to really understand her teammates, their mannerisms, their characteristics and it has allowed them to play more in rhythm at this moment, I am giving the edge to Caitlin Clark in the rookie of the year. Race and games like tonight help to make that case 100%. Yeah, I'm with you. I think Caitlin Clark deserves the rookie of the year based on the way she's played, especially in the second half of the season, but also the tail end of that first half Angel special season as well. But when it comes to the fever and their postseason outlook, tariqa, they're right now in sixth place. They hold the tiebreaker over the Mercury. How far do you think they can go in the postseason? Of course, depending on who they get with that third seed. Well, yeah, it definitely does depend on what happens and who ends up where. You know, I was on the call for that Indiana Connecticut game earlier in the week, and it was a potential playoff preview. At the time, Connecticut held the two seed at the time Indiana held the seven seed. And so just getting a look at that was very scary, I think that this fever team is hot at the right time. I think they're clicking at the right time. I think their chemistry is playing well into their favor. And the good thing about it is that they have a couple more matchups that can really test them. They've gotten some very convincing wins over some plus 500 teams, and that's going to be great for your confidence as you are moving towards the playoff picture. As it relates to Chicago, however, I don't know. It's difficult to say whether or not they will remain in the playoff picture, but I'm going to say yes and I'm going to say yes. Chris only because I strongly believe that they have some matchups coming up here in this last final couple of weeks that can really tell the story, one of which is against Atlanta, and Atlanta is the team that is currently trying to fight for that. Number eight spot. But I also want to say Washington is not mathematically eliminated. And they're a team that you might want to keep your eye out on. As we look towards down the stretch of who could be vying for that number eight spot. So I'm 50 over 50 on Chicago. They're in there now, Chris. But I don't know for how long if they can't find a way to get some offense on the board. Well, I definitely know this. They want Kennedi Carter back sooner than later because she provides so much for them when it comes to scoring and spacing. Terrika Foster-brasby always a pleasure talking to you. Thanks Chris and guys and ladies, we have more fever action coming up right here on CBS sports Network Wednesday at seven. Rickea Jackson, she's one of the top rookies in the league, going up against Caitlin Clark and the Fever in Indiana