Caitlin Clark’s Insane High-IQ Play Against Mystics Goes Viral

This was supposed to be the season when Caitlin Clark proves to the world that the hype coming into the WNBA was not a fluke. Last season, she had the same goal, but it was cut short due to various soft-tissue injuries

This time, the Iowa native could not start off the season the way she wanted after struggling with a back injury. She still finds herself on the injury report before every game with the same cause.

But thankfully, Clark has been able to play and has done well in the process. After taking a few games to shake off the rust, the point guard has come to life and inserted herself into the MVP conversations.

A’ja Wilson is still firmly in the lead and may be wrapping up her record-extending fifth MVP award. But that has not stopped the Hawkeyes great from showing what she can do with the ball in her hands.

Against the Washington Mystics, the 24-year-old finished with 25 points. One play might not count as anything since she did not score. But it was enough for the world to take notice of Caitlin Clark‘s exemplary basketball IQ.

In the third quarter, with the home team down by 16 points, it was up to the players to find ways to reduce that deficit. The guard was about to inbound the ball when she noticed the Mystics center, Lauren Betts, had her back turned towards her.

Caitlin Clark's basketball IQ is something else 🤯 pic.twitter.com/H8sNfDlygi

— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) September 20, 2026

Clark bounced the ball off the rookie, rolled to the basket, and attempted a layup. Had it gone through, the play would have become part of this season’s highlight reel. But even then, her high IQ ensured that the clip went viral.

Caitlin Clark gives honest assessment of loss to Mystics

That high-IQ play aside, Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever did not enjoy a fruitful game. In the first quarter, frustrations were visible on the superstar guard’s face, and reporters decided to commence the post-game press conference with a question about their struggles.

I think when you give a team that type of confidence early in the game, you are just digging yourself a huge hole, a hole we can never climb out of… Our defense was just pitiful. It was just frustrating.

Caitlin Clark replied

This was the three-time All-Star, making it clear that their first-half struggles saw them get into a position from which they could not get themselves out. No matter what they tried, the Indiana Fever just could not overcome that double-digit deficit.

Clark explained that several factors led to this, and it was not one thing that led to this loss. She called out the defense, as she felt the interior leaked way too many points than it was supposed to. Moreover, the offense was not performing in the same manner that helped them stage a major push in the middle of the season.

Caitlin Clark’s Fever could drop to eighth

After this loss, the Indiana Fever find themselves still in fifth place in the standings. But crucially, they are now down a game to the Atlanta Dream. Therefore, unless the latter lose their remaining two games, it is unlikely that Caitlin Clark and her teammates can secure home-court advantage.

The Dream, as do most of the playoff teams, enjoy an easier schedule. The Fever, on the other hand, will face the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. Winning against them has been a problem for most teams. Hence, it is a given that the Fever will struggle.

Since they are unlikely to take their foot off the gas with the Golden State Valkyries still in the hunt for the top spot, it is bad news for the Fever. They could end up finishing in eighth if they lose both games.

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