Caitlin Clark guides playoff-bound Fever against Lynx

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Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will try to stay hot when they host the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night in Indianapolis.

Clark is coming off her second career triple-double after posting 24 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 93-86 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday. Clark helped lead the Fever to their fifth straight win and their ninth victory in the past 11 games.

Indiana (18-16) has clinched a playoff berth in Clark's rookie season. The former Iowa star said that is exactly what she expected to happen.

"This isn't a party," Clark said. "I'm not just happy to be in the playoffs. I think we have the type of team that can win and advance."

Minnesota (24-9) also likes its chances as the postseason approaches. The Lynx are coming off a 79-74 home win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday, which marked their eighth win in nine games.

Lynx guard Courtney Williams said she and her teammates know they are in for a difficult stretch in the regular season's final month. In addition to facing the Fever, Minnesota will play Washington, Atlanta, New York and Connecticut on the road and they will tip off against Chicago and Los Angeles at home.

"We want to go into the postseason playing our best basketball," Williams said. "That's our focus, getting back to what made us a top team."

Napheesa Collier leads the Lynx in averaging 20.4 points and 9.8 rebounds in 28 games this season. Kayla McBride is averaging 15.9 points per game, and Williams ranks third with 11 points per game to go along with a team-high 5.4 assists.

Kelsey Mitchell leads the Fever in scoring with 19.0 points per game. Clark has tallied 18.9 points to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists. Aliyah Boston rounds out the top three scorers with 13.7 points and a team-high 9.1 rebounds.

This will be the third game of the regular season between the Fever and Lynx. Indiana won the first matchup 81-74 at Minnesota on July 14, with the Fever's Mitchell leading all scorers with 21 points. The Lynx bounced back with a 90-80 win at home on Aug. 24, with Collier scoring 31 to lead the way.

Indiana is 10-5 at home this season. Minnesota is 9-6 on the road.

--Field Level Media