The Golden State Valkyries rode a stout defensive effort to an 80-61 victory Wednesday over the Indiana Fever in Caitlin Clark’s return to action in Indianapolis.

Clark, a WNBA All-Star captain, returned from her second significant injury of the season with 10 points, but could not provide enough offensive punch to help the Fever pick up a win.

Golden State (10-9) leads the WNBA in opposing shooting percentage (39.9 percent entering the game) and did nothing to hurt that mark in holding Indiana to a season-low 30.9 percent (21-for-68). After Indiana opened the game with a 23-14 lead, Golden State went on a 33-9 run that encompassed the end of the first quarter, the entire second quarter, and the beginning of the third quarter.

The Valkyries held Indiana to just nine second-quarter points, and after Indiana pulled within 55-50 on a Makayla Timpson jumper with 2:58 to go in the third quarter, Golden State went on another 9-0 run to pull away.

The Valkyries were led by Veronica Burton, who drained 5-of-6 3-point tries on her way to 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. All-Star Kayla Thornton added 18 points and eight boards.

Golden State improved to 9-0 on the season when holding its opponent under 80 points. This was only the second time all season that Indiana scored under 75 points.

Indiana (9-10) did not gain much of a boost from Clark’s return, as the star’s 10 points came via 4-for-12 shooting. Clark did dish out six assists. Fellow All-Star Kelsey Mitchell added 12 points on just 3-for-13 shooting. Timpson chipped in 10 points off the bench for the Fever.

Indiana opened the game shooting 8-for-17 while building up a 23-14 lead but shot just 13-for-51 over the game’s final 32 minutes.

Indiana will return to action by hosting the Atlanta Dream on Friday, while Golden State will play at the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.

–Field Level Media