Caitlin Clark. - Source: Imagn

Caitlin Clark. - Source: Imagn

Despite Thrilling Game Winner, Caitlin Clark Criticizes Her Big Shortcoming vs Mystics

June 9, 2026 | 8:20 PM EDT

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark turned had a game-clinching shot on Monday with her long-distance 3-pointer to top the host Washington Mystics 78-76. This came right after Clark missed a couple of late-game free throws that would have knotted the tightly contested affair.

During her postgame interview with WNBA legend Sue Bird, the missed free throws were brought up and then quickly dismissed. But Clark still acknowledged them and criticized her shortcomings as a factor that she’ll need to work on. Nevertheless, she finished with a game-high 19 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal in 31 minutes.

“Oh no, that was terrible. That’s not okay, Sue,” Clark shared. (0:06)

– Caitlin Clark, September 8, 2026

Clark and Indiana coach Stephanie White’s Fever (6-5, including 2-3 in away games) are looking to uncork another deep postseason run this season, similar to what they did last year without Clark. In the 2025 campaign, Clark just played 13 games due to a nagging groin injury.

Caitlin Clark shared what her mindset was like after her missed free throws

Caitlin Clark’s missed free throws against the Washington Mystics almost cost the Indiana Fever the game. But her mindset allowed her to quickly forget the miscue and move on to the remaining 35 seconds of the game. In the postgame interview, Clark said her mindset after her misses was that there was still plenty of time to mount a comeback.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s just next play. Like, there’s still 35 on the game clock, and you know, we know we’re definitely gonna get the ball back. So, I think it’s just one stop, and I think it was a one-point game at that point, so. And then, got the run-out lay-up and kind of made a dig and then made Shakira; I don’t know if she got the shot off or just turned it over. But, just keep fighting. Like, 35 seconds is a lot of time. You know that, Sue,” Clark shared (Timestamp: 1:18).

“In basketball, it’s a lot of time left, especially with the amount of timeouts and resets we have now.”

Also Read:

“Sue Bird Was Mad”: Fever Fans React To WNBA Legend’s Unflinching Reaction To Caitlin Clark’s Game-Winner Vs Mystics

Sophie Cunningham Drops 4-Word Reaction After Caitlin Clark’s Game Winner vs Mystics

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Article written by Koby del Rosario

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