Caitlin Clark returns after FIBA title as Kelsey Mitchell sets WNBA scoring mark in Fever victory over Tempo
Kelsey Mitchell’s 33-point performance Friday night added another chapter to her record-setting season. The Indiana Fever guard became the WNBA’s single-season scoring leader in a 103-85 victory over the Toronto Tempo.
Mitchell now has 1,034 points this season. A’ja Wilson, the reigning back-to-back WNBA MVP, set the previous mark in 2024, when she scored 1,021 points for the Las Vegas Aces.
Mitchell’s teammate, Caitlin Clark, added 28 points Friday and matched her season high with 14 assists as Indiana earned its eighth win in 10 games. Mitchell also scored at least 20 points for the 25th consecutive game, extending her WNBA record. She shot 12 for 17 and went 7 for 11 from 3-point range.
Clark went 2 for 8 from distance for her 14th double-double in her first game since helping the U.S. win the women’s FIBA World Cup in Germany. She made 12 free throws without a miss.
Clark also had 14 assists in a home win over Toronto on June 16.
The game was the first for both teams following a nearly three-week World Cup break.
Toronto’s Laura Juskaite scored 22 points and Kiki Rice had 18. Isabelle Harrison and Temi Fagbenle each scored 16 points, but the Tempo lost their fifth straight.
Toronto started its inaugural season 9-9 but has gone 2-21 since.
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The Tempo were without veteran guard Marina Mabrey. On Wednesday, the team said Mabrey will miss the final four games of the season because of a right adductor injury. Mabrey hasn’t played since a home loss to Indiana on Aug. 18.
The Fever return home next, hosting the Washington Mystics on Sunday. The Tempo will face the New York Liberty in their next game.
Toronto has already been eliminated from postseason contention, while Indiana has clinched a playoff spot and, after Friday’s win, moved into a tie with the Atlanta Dream for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.