Caitlin Clark Stopper Addresses Big Play Against Indiana Fever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated May 24, 2025 11:58 PM ET

The Indiana Fever lost by two points to the New York Liberty on Saturday, with Caitlin Clark struggling throughout the game.

Clark finished with 18 points, five rebounds and 10 assists, but she also had 10 turnovers and shot 6-of-18 from the field—including 2-of-11 from deep.

The Fever star's most crucial turnover came in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter when Indiana was attempting to tie or win the game.

With 2.9 seconds left, Sophie Cunningham made the inbounds pass to Clark at the top of the 3-point line. However, as the second-year sharpshooter tried to make a play, Liberty guard Natasha Cloud made a crucial stop and stripped the ball away from her.

Clark was hoping to get a foul at that point, but there was no whistle and the Liberty took the win, much to the dismay of the Fever.

Cloud locks up Clark on the final play pic.twitter.com/0b6Wqdjxfp
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 24, 2025

Following the game, Cloud addressed her defense on Clark when asked about it. According to the Liberty newcomer, she anticipated the Fever's plan, so she was able to prepare to guard Clark and predict what she would do.

"I knew they–obviously, they're gonna go to Caitlin," Cloud shared. "I knew that it was gonna be, 'You gotta get your big dog pants on right now.

"The way they set up I knew she was gonna set a cross screen. I knew that Coach [Stephanie] White was hoping that. I bumped on that cross screen to allow her to get open on the down screen. I knew my help was on the backside, so I didn't bump. I top-locked her, so she couldn't come off so easily. I knew she was gonna go left as soon as she brought that ball up. I just poked it out."

Natasha Cloud recorded 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the 90-88 win, but it was her defense that really stood out. She had five steals and two blocks in the contest, both of which were game-highs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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