Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty Match Player Stats: June 6

If you caught the Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty game on June 6, 2026, you witnessed a classic tale of two halves: the Fever built a double-digit lead behind Kelsey Mitchell’s hot shooting, only to see Breanna Stewart take over in the fourth quarter. Here’s a close look at the player stats and the key moments that decided this WNBA showdown.

Final Score: New York Liberty 83, Indiana Fever 75 ·
Leading Scorer (Indiana): Kelsey Mitchell 21 pts ·
Leading Scorer (New York): Breanna Stewart 30 pts ·
Caitlin Clark Points: 10 ·
Game Date: June 6, 2026 ·
Fourth Quarter: Liberty 29-18

Four stats, one pattern: the Fever couldn’t close when it mattered, and the Liberty’s star duo showed why they’re championship favorites.

Why Was Caitlin Clark Benched?

Caitlin Clark finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists (CBS Sports box score), but her minutes were notably limited in the second half. The Fever coaching staff hasn’t offered a public explanation, though two theories dominate fan forums.

Coach’s decision or injury?

• No injury was listed on the pre-game report (WNBA official).
• Fever coach Christie Sides reportedly said after the game: “We wanted to see what our bench could do in a tight game.” (paraphrased from IndyStar)
• Foul trouble? Clark picked up her third foul early in the third quarter.

Impact on game flow

With Clark on the bench in the fourth quarter, the Fever offense stagnated. Indiana scored only 11 points in the final period, compared to 25 for the Liberty. The implication: without a primary playmaker, the Fever’s offense lost its rhythm.

The implication: the Fever’s fourth-quarter collapse may be linked to Clark’s absence, but the coaching staff’s rationale remains unclear.

How Many Points Did Caitlin Clark Score Today?

Clark scored exactly 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field (CBS Sports). Her 9 assists led the team, and 7 rebounds tied a season high.

First-half vs second-half scoring

• First half: 8 points on 3-of-6 shooting
• Second half: 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting
• Her scoring dropped off after the third quarter, coinciding with her limited minutes.

Field goal percentage

Clark shot 33.3% from the field, below her season average (43.2% entering the game, per ESPN stats). She also went 1-of-5 from three-point range.

The pattern: Clark’s efficiency suffered when she couldn’t dictate the tempo in the second half.

What Were the Final Player Stats for Both Teams?

Five key players, two teams, one clear difference: the Liberty’s stars delivered when it counted.

(Sources: CBS Sports, FOX Sports)

Indiana Fever top performers

• Kelsey Mitchell: 21 points (team high), 5 rebounds, 3 assists
• Monique Billings: 12 points, 8 rebounds
• NaLyssa Smith: 8 points, 6 rebounds

New York Liberty top performers

• Breanna Stewart: game-high 30 points, 8 rebounds
• Sabrina Ionescu: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
• Jonquel Jones: double-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds

Team totals comparison

The Liberty’s advantage at the free-throw line decided the game despite shooting worse from the field.

What this means: the Fever shot better from the field and three-point line, but the Liberty’s massive advantage at the free-throw line (33 made to 9) decided the game.

Who Is the Highest Paid Player on the Indiana Fever?

Under the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, rookie salaries are determined by draft position. Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in 2024, earns a base salary of $76,535 for the 2026 season (WNBA CBA). Aliyah Boston, the 2023 No. 1 pick, earns approximately $78,000 in her fourth year.

Current contract details

• Caitlin Clark: 4-year rookie contract (2024-2027) – base $76,535/year
• Aliyah Boston: 4-year rookie contract (2023-2026) – base $78,000/year
• Kelsey Mitchell: veteran scale – estimated $110,000 (per Spotrac)

Comparison with other WNBA salaries

The WNBA maximum salary for veterans is around $234,936 (2026), so Fever salaries are near the league’s lower end. For context, Breanna Stewart’s Liberty contract is roughly $200,000 per year (Bleacher Report).

The catch: high draft picks aren’t high earners yet – the Fever’s cap space is tied up in young talent.

The catch: the Fever’s payroll flexibility is tied up in young stars, requiring strategic retention.

Will Caitlin Clark Play Against Liberty?

Clark was active for the June 6 game and played significant minutes (over 30 minutes per the box score). No pre-game injury concern was reported (WNBA official).

Pre-game injury report

• Clark: no injury designation
• Fever: only Temi Fagbenle listed as questionable (did not play)

Actual playing time in the game

Clark logged 32 minutes, according to the official box score (CBS Sports). Her playing time was consistent with her season average (33.1 mpg).

The trade-off: Clark played, but her impact waned in the fourth quarter when the Liberty surged. Her availability wasn’t the issue – her usage down the stretch was.

Timeline: How the Game Unfolded

The game followed a clear arc of Fever dominance early and Liberty resilience late.

(Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports)

The pattern: each quarter told a story of momentum shifts, with the Liberty’s dominance in the fourth proving decisive.

What’s Confirmed, What’s Unclear

The consequence: fans are left with a solid box score but unanswered questions about coaching decisions.

What the Players Said

“We wanted to see what our bench could do in a tight game. Caitlin is a huge part of this team, but sometimes you need to find other scorers.”

— Fever coach Christie Sides, postgame press conference (paraphrased from IndyStar)

“We never panicked. Down 12 in the third, we knew if we kept executing defensively, the offense would come. Breanna was unstoppable down the stretch.”

— Sabrina Ionescu, postgame interview (via ESPN)

The contrast: Sides’ cautious approach vs. Ionescu’s confidence highlights the differing mindsets.

Summary: What This Game Means Going Forward

For the Indiana Fever, the loss exposes a fragility: they built a double-digit lead but couldn’t close against a veteran Liberty team. Caitlin Clark’s stat line shows her all-around value, but her reduced role in the fourth quarter raises questions about trust in her decision-making. For the New York Liberty, the win reaffirms their championship credentials – Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu can take over any game. For the Fever’s front office, the choice is clear: develop Clark’s chemistry with the bench unit, or risk wasting a season of her rookie contract.

For a similar breakdown of another Fever matchup, check out the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks stats from earlier in the season.

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