Caitlin Clark's Horrifying 0-for-7 From Deep in San Francisco is Back, and the Valkyries Are Ready

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because things are about to get REAL in the WNBA! Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are heading back to San Francisco for a Thursday night showdown against the Golden State Valkyries. And let me tell you, this isn't just any regular game. This is a REMATCH from last Friday's 90-82 Fever win, where Clark put up a solid 22 points, shooting 7-for-15. But hold up, because this trip to the Bay Area brings back some seriously bad vibes for Clark and the Fever.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Clark's Struggle Against Golden State

We all know Caitlin Clark is a phenom, but for some reason, the Golden State Valkyries have been her kryptonite. The last time she played in San Francisco, against this expansion club last June, it was a brutal 88-77 loss, and Clark went 0-for-7 from beyond the arc. Yep, ZERO. She ended that game shooting just 3-for-14 overall. A month later, in a home rematch, she wasn't much better, hitting only 4-for-12. When you look at her three games against Golden State, her average is a meager 14.3 points, on a dreadful 14-for-41 shooting, which is a chilling 34.1 percent. Oof. Now, don't get it twisted, Clark has been BALLING lately. She's averaged 25 points over her last three games, draining 13 of 30 from downtown. She even notched two double-doubles in that stretch, missing a third by just one assist. The Fever, currently 4-2, have won three straight, even pulling one out with Clark sidelined due to a sore back. But can she shake off those San Francisco demons? This game kicks off a tough stretch where the Fever will play four of their next five on the road.

Valkyries Are Rolling, Clark's Back Is a Question Mark

While the Fever have been resting since Friday, the 4-2 Valkyries are coming off a MONSTER 97-70 romp over the Connecticut Sun on Monday. What's even more concerning for Clark and the Fever is the debut of Golden State's first-ever draft choice, Juste Jocyte. The No. 5 overall pick from last year finally hit the court after commitments to the Lithuanian national team and her Spanish pro team kept her away. She practiced Sunday and then thrilled fans by sinking her first two WNBA shots in the final 4:48 of Monday's win. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, the reigning Coach of the Year, couldn't stop gushing about the 20-year-old's "confidence" and the immediate "connection and support" from her teammates. Meanwhile, Clark used her five days off to rest that sore back, even taking a turn as grand marshal for the Indianapolis 500. She was back at practice Tuesday, admitting that back injuries can be "tricky things" and that she's "understanding my body more." But she quickly added, "I don't think it's anything of concern, though." We sure hope not, because the Fever need her firing on all cylinders to break her Golden State curse. This Thursday night game in San Francisco isn't just another notch in the win-loss column. It's about Caitlin Clark proving she can conquer her personal boogey team and showing the league that her back is truly fine. The Fever are hitting the road, and a strong start is crucial. You know we'll be watching every single possession!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.