Caitlin Clark helped generate 58 points in the paint for the Indiana Fever, who won game two of the playoffs 99-98. She ended the game with 27 points and 15 assists, which earned praise from ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike.

"That was an epic performance by Caitlin Clark, 27 and 15 assists," Ogwumike said after the match. "Back against a wall, team up against elimination at home, all the pressure in the world, and she delivered."

"And what I love is she led by example," Ogwumike said in a video posted by @espnW about what was one of the most physical games this WNBA postseason; Clark fouled out in the fourth quarter with 2:45 left on the clock.

She displayed a sense of urgency and physicality that was missing in the 85-102 loss in game one. At one point in the first quarter, she was seen ripping the ball out of A'ja Wilson's hands, walking into a hyped Indianapolis crowd.

The confrontation earned her a jump-ball foul, but it was more than that. It was a statement that set the tone for the rest of the match. Clark sent a clear message: the Fever were going to be aggressive and do all they can to stay in the playoffs.

Her passing ability was also on full display against the Aces. "14 out of the 15 assists came in the paint," Ogwumike said. "She is like a post player’s dream, a teammate’s dream, because she will lead you to the promised land."

Caitlin Clark later opened up about how the team improved on what they lacked in game one.

Caitlin Clark on not being "soft" in game two against the Las Vegas Aces

Game one versus the Aces ended in an 80-102 loss for the Indiana Fever. Afterwards, Clark told the press that the Fever made it hard on themselves against the Aces.

Game two saw the adjustment. This time, the team was playing a lot more aggressively. The lack of urgency they showed in game one was out of the window in game two.

"I think that's where we really lacked in the first game and that's what we talked about as a team, is like don't be soft," Clark explained after winning game two.

She explained that game two was different because the Fever had a change in their mentality. They adjusted and increased their physicality to battle it out with the Aces.

According to Clark, it was all led by Myisha Hines-Allen, who "gathered the group" and explained to them that they needed to have a "different mentality" about themselves.

Now, the guard hopes to carry on the same level of intensity to game three in this best-of-three series. Winning would help the Fever move forward in the playoffs, while losing it means an early exit. The stakes are the highest they can be.

Written by

Prit Chauhan