Analyst Urges WNBA to Build Clark-Bueckers Rivalry After 29-Point Duel

Q: While the megastars traded shots, which overlooked Fever player secretly engineered Indiana's devastating fourth-quarter victory?

It was Tyasha Harris who quietly tilted the game for Indiana. While Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers dominated the spotlight with matching 29-point performances, Harris delivered the overlooked blow that helped break Dallas in the fourth quarter. Coming off the bench, she finished with 15 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range, supplying the spacing and timely shot-making that helped the Fever seize control. Her shooting mattered because the game was still tight entering the final period, with Indiana trailing 66-63 after three quarters. As the Fever erupted for a 35-21 fourth quarter, Harris’ bench scoring gave Clark and Kelsey Mitchell crucial support and prevented Dallas from loading up defensively on Indiana’s stars. Indiana also got major inside help from Aliyah Boston, who posted 16 points and 10 rebounds, with reporting noting she had a big fourth quarter as well. Mitchell added 23 points and extended her streak of 20-point games. But among the less-heralded contributors, Harris was the player most directly identified as the hidden engine behind the late surge. So although Clark finished the story, Harris was the overlooked Fever player who secretly engineered much of Indiana’s devastating fourth-quarter win.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 15

Mark Gunnels called on the WNBA to make Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers a marquee rivalry after both stars scored 29 points in Indiana's 98-87 win over Dallas on Friday.
Clark added 10 assists and seized the game with 17 third-quarter points, returning after a brief ankle scare to help the Fever pull away with a 35-21 fourth quarter.
Bueckers finished with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, keeping the Wings close and reinforcing the appeal of a matchup the league already spotlighted in its 2026 season opener.
Indiana improved to 22-12 and Dallas fell to 20-15, with another Fever-Wings meeting set for next week as both teams remain in the playoff race.