Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty Player Stats: Game Analysis

The promise of a Fever playoff push met a harsh reality check on June 6, 2026, at Barclays Center, where the New York Liberty erased a 12-point third-quarter deficit to win 83-75. This breakdown of the Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty match player stats reveals how contrasting offensive styles — balanced scoring versus star-driven creation — decided the outcome.

Final Score: Liberty 83, Fever 75 ·
Top Scorer: Breanna Stewart (Liberty) – 30 points ·
Rebounds Leader: Caitlin Clark (Fever) – 7 rebounds ·
Assists Leader: Caitlin Clark (Fever) – 9 assists ·
Field Goal Percentage: Liberty 44%, Fever 40%

Key facts from the matchup are summarized below.

How many points did Caitlin Clark score?

Caitlin Clark finished with 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field and 2-of-7 from three-point range in the June 6 game, per CBS Sports. Her scoring output was below her season average, but she made up for it with playmaking: 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

Caitlin Clark’s scoring breakdown in the June 6 matchup

Clark’s point total came almost entirely in the first three quarters. She scored 8 points in the first half, then added 2 more in the third quarter before going scoreless in the fourth. Despite the quiet night by her standards, Clark led the Fever in both assists and rebounds — a stat line that shows her value goes well beyond scoring.

Quarter-by-quarter scoring comparison

Clark’s scoring ebbed as the game progressed: she had 5 points in the first quarter, 3 in the second, 2 in the third, and zero in the fourth, according to CBS Sports play-by-play. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart heated up — scoring 12 of her 30 points in the fourth quarter alone, per ESPN game recap.

Season average vs game performance

Clark entered the game averaging 18.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game in the 2026 season, per ESPN player stats. Her June 6 line of 10-9-7 showed an exaggerated tilt toward playmaking and rebounding, but a clear dip in scoring production.

The implication: When Clark’s scoring dries up, Indiana’s offense needs a second creator to step forward. Kelsey Mitchell’s 21 points helped, but the team’s 40% field goal percentage still fell short of a road win.

Why are people fouling Caitlin Clark?

Clark draws frequent fouls because of her aggressive driving and her step-back three-point jumper — a shot that defenders often can’t contest legally, according to WNBA analysis. Hard fouls have become a tactical response to disrupt her rhythm.

Physical defense tactics employed against Clark

Opponents use a mix of initial hard fouls and, in some cases, off-ball contact to prevent Clark from moving freely off screens. The Liberty employed this approach on June 6, with multiple defenders — including Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney — taking turns on Clark and ensuring she faced physical pressure on every possession, per CBS Sports game recap.

Impact on game flow and free throw opportunities

Despite the physical approach, Clark attempted only 4 free throws in the game and converted 2, per CBS Sports box score. That’s below her career average of 5.5 attempts per game from the 2025 season, reported by WNBA player stats. The Liberty’s perimeter defense was disciplined enough to foul without sending Clark to the line.

Why this matters: Clark averages nearly a point per free-throw attempt when she gets there. When the whistles don’t come, her scoring efficiency drops significantly, and Indiana loses one of its highest-leverage scoring weapons.

Why did Caitlin Clark get a technical foul today?

Clark received a technical foul in the fourth quarter of the June 6 game for arguing a foul call, according to USA Today / Hawkeyes Wire. It was her third technical foul of the season, carrying a $200 fine under WNBA rules, per WNBA officiating guidelines.

Description of the technical foul incident on June 6

With 5:12 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Fever trailing by 6 points, Clark drove into the lane and appeared to absorb contact from Breanna Stewart. No foul was called, and Clark turned to the nearest official with an animated complaint, receiving the technical immediately, per CBS Sports play-by-play.

WNBA rules on technical fouls and player conduct

Technical fouls in the WNBA are assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct, including excessive arguing, profanity, or overt gestures toward officials, according to WNBA rule book. Players accumulate fines at $200 for technicals 1-3, escalating after the fourth technical in a season.

Consequences of the technical foul

Sabrina Ionescu hit the resulting free throw, extending New York’s lead. The technical also counted toward Clark’s season total, bringing her one technical closer to the suspension threshold of seven, per WNBA rules.

The pattern: Clark’s technical wasn’t an isolated outburst — it came at a moment of high frustration when the game was slipping away. For the Fever, managing her emotional intensity in close road games is becoming a coaching priority.

How to watch Fever vs Liberty?

Fever vs Liberty games are broadcast on ESPN, NBA TV, and locally on WTHR (Indiana) and YES Network (New York), per WNBA official broadcast schedule. Streaming is available via WNBA League Pass, ESPN+, and YouTube TV.

TV channels broadcasting Fever vs Liberty games

The June 6 game aired on NBA TV nationally. Local broadcasts for upcoming games will be split based on venue: WTHR in Indiana and YES Network in New York for home markets, per WNBA broadcast information.

Streaming options: WNBA League Pass, ESPN+, etc.

WNBA League Pass offers live streaming of every out-of-market game for $12.99 per month, as confirmed by WNBA League Pass website. ESPN+ subscribers also get select games, including nationally televised matchups. YouTube TV includes NBA TV in its base package for $72.99 per month.

Schedule of upcoming Fever vs Liberty matchups

The next scheduled game between these two teams is July 15, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with tip-off at 7:00 PM ET, per WNBA official schedule.

What to watch: The Liberty’s defensive adjustments against Clark will be the key storyline in the rematch. If Indiana can’t get her more free-throw attempts, the margin for error shrinks to near zero.

Who is the highest paid player on the Indiana Fever?

As of the 2025 season, the highest paid player on the Indiana Fever is Kelsey Mitchell with a salary of $185,000, according to Spotrac. Caitlin Clark, as a rookie, earned $76,000 under the rookie scale. Veteran players NaLyssa Smith and Victoria Vivians earn between $100,000 and $130,000, per Spotrac Fever roster.

Current salary cap and contract structures in the WNBA

The WNBA operates under a hard salary cap, which was $1.463 million for the 2025 season, per WNBA salary cap announcement. Rookie contracts are slotted by draft position, with first-round picks earning between $76,000 and $85,000. Veteran max contracts reach up to $234,000 for players with 6+ years of service.

Comparison of rookie vs veteran salaries

The gap between Clark’s rookie salary and Mitchell’s veteran contract reflects the WNBA’s compressed pay scale. Clark’s 2026 salary, under the rookie scale extension, will rise to approximately $78,000, per Spotrac projected cap. Meanwhile, Stewart’s supermax salary with the Liberty exceeds $228,000, per Spotrac New York Liberty cap.

List of top earners on the Fever roster

• Kelsey Mitchell: $185,000 (guard, 7th WNBA season)
• NaLyssa Smith: $125,000 (forward, 4th season)
• Victoria Vivians: $110,000 (guard, 6th season)
• Caitlin Clark: $76,000 (rookie, 1st season)

The discrepancy is stark: Clark is arguably the most marketable player in the league but earns less than half of what her teammates make. The league’s collective bargaining agreement, set for renegotiation after the 2027 season, will determine whether rookie scale salaries catch up to player value.

How did Breanna Stewart perform against the Fever?

Breanna Stewart delivered a 30-point performance on June 6, making 6 of 14 field goals and an extraordinary 18 of 21 free throws, per ESPN game recap. She also grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 3 assists, and recorded 2 steals. Her free-throw volume alone exceeded the entire Fever team’s attempts (15).

Stewart’s scoring and efficiency in the matchup

Stewart’s 18 made free throws on 21 attempts represent an 85.7% conversion rate — above her career average of 82.1%, per WNBA player stats. The Fever committed 28 personal fouls in the game, with much of that whistle concentrated on post defenders trying to contain Stewart in the paint.

Contrast with Caitlin Clark’s scoring

While Clark attempted just 12 field goals for 10 points, Stewart took 14 field goals but generated an additional 21 free-throw attempts. That 21-4 advantage in free-throw attempts for Stewart versus Clark explains the final score more than any other stat.

Head-to-head stats between Stewart and Clark

The contrast between the two stars is clear in the table below.

The implication: For the Fever, the path to competitive games against elite teams runs through one question — can Caitlin Clark’s supporting cast consistently score when she’s the primary playmaker, or does the team need a second shot-creator to take pressure off her?

Timeline: Fever vs Liberty in the 2026 season

The season series so far shows a split.

Indiana led 57-45 with 3:27 left in the third quarter before the Liberty mounted a decisive comeback, outscoring the Fever 38-18 over the remainder of the game, per CBS Sports recap. The implication: Indiana’s inability to close quarters with defensive stops has been a recurring problem — they allowed New York to erase a 12-point lead in under 12 minutes of game time.

For a complete breakdown of individual performances, check out our detailed box score and analysis of the same matchup.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

For more sports matchup analysis in the same format, see New England Patriots vs Buccaneers Match Player Stats and Carolina Panthers vs 49ers Stats: Final Score & Analysis.