Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever may have lost their final game of the WNBA regular season, but it was still a historic night for the rookie sensation. Due to high ticket demand, the Washington Mystics moved Thursday night’s game to the city’s Capital One Arena, home of the NBA’s Wizards.
The decision paid off, as a record-setting 20,711 fans—the largest crowd in WNBA history—came to watch Clark and the Fever, as well as the Mystics’ push for a playoff spot.

Clark had a quieter game by her usual standards, finishing with eight points, five rebounds, and eight assists. However, that performance earned her another milestone: Clark now holds the record for the most points scored by a point guard in a single WNBA season.

Caitlin Clark set more records Thursday night as the Indiana Fever played in Washington, D.C.

Caitlin Clark set more records Thursday night as the Indiana Fever played in Washington, D.C.

20,711 fans - the largest crowd in WNBA history - turned out to watch the Mystics play Clark

20,711 fans – the largest crowd in WNBA history – turned out to watch the Mystics play Clark

Clark had a largely quiet night, with the Fever already through to the WNBA playoffs

Clark had a largely quiet night, with the Fever already through to the WNBA playoffs

She also passed WNBA legend Diana Taurasi for the second most 3-pointers made in a single-season in WNBA history.

The Mystics needed a win and some help in Thursday’s regular-season finale to make the playoffs. They took care of business, beating the Fever 92-91 win, but they crashed out of playoff contention.

The Chicago Sky’s 87-54 loss to the Connecticut Sun secured the eighth and final playoff spot for the Atlanta Dream, who were one game ahead of the Mystics entering Thursday’s matchup.

Despite this, the Washington Mystics ended their season on a high note with a remarkable victory. After falling behind 20-2 midway through the first quarter, the Mystics rallied to tie the game at 24-24 early in the second. Ariel Atkins contributed 11 points in the second quarter, helping Washington take a 52-45 lead at halftime.

Sika Kone had a standout performance, finishing with game highs of 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench. The Mystics led by as many as 17 points in the second half, but the Fever mounted a late comeback with a 22-8 run, closing the gap to just one point in the final minute.

The Fever, making their first playoff appearance since 2016, will face the Sun in a best-of-three first round.