Indiana Fever rookie Raven Johnson emerged as the team’s best player over Caitlin Clark and All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who are earning a combined salary of $2.4 million this season. Johnson, the No. 10 pick, made her 21 minutes count in the 90-88 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, tallying a career-high 16 points and four rebounds. She shot 70.0% from the field and 2 of 3 from deep.
Johnson was tied with Clark for the most points. She led the Fever in box-plus-minus (+4), which is a significant mark given the eventual margin of loss for Indiana. Clark was inefficient, going 3-for-12 with five turnovers, while Mitchell had 14 points on 5-for-13 shots. Boston finished her night with 13 points on 4-for-11 shots. Clark and Boston were box plus-minus -2 each and Mitchell was -6.
The Fever’s big three were majorly responsible for the Fever’s loss as Raven Johnson, Sophie Cunningham and Makayla Timpson held their end of the bargain. Clark, Mitchell, and Boston also squandered multiple chances in the clutch. Clark committed consecutive turnovers and airballed a game-tying 3-pointer in the 1:30.
Mitchell missed a 3-pointer to give Indiana a four-point lead in the last 3:18 and committed crucial fouls, allowing the Valkyries to get back into the game. Boston, meanwhile, was 1-for-4 in the final 3:30 and missed the game-tying shot under the rim.
Fever post-game: Raven Johnson career-high reaction, Stephanie White on Caitlin Clark
Raven Johnson made her debut on the post-game podium this season following her career-high night. Johnson joined former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston and Fever coach Stephanie White in addressing reporters after the loss. The No. 10 pick spoke about her comfort level after the 16-point game.
“”I just take it day-by-day,” Johnson said. “I think it starts in practice, leaning on the vets, learning new concepts, but honestly, I just do whatever it takes to win. Like, at the end of the day, I’m gonna listen to what coach Steph wants from me, want me to go out there and do and I try to execute it.”
Meanwhile, Stephanie White addressed Caitlin Clark’s struggles on the Valkyries home floor. She faced similar issues last year when Indiana took the trip to San Francisco.
“I think she gets guarded a certain way all the time,” White said. “You know, 94-feet, lots of physicality. You’re not gonna give her any easy looks. And she had a lot of tough contested shots … they’re an excellent, excellent defensive team.”
In 2025, Caitlin Clark finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. She committed six turnovers and shot 3-for-14 in an 88-77 loss on the road to the Valkyries. The Valkyries didn’t give her an inch defensively, roughing her up at the perimeter and blitzing her in the clutch. Clark will hope to bounce back when Indiana takes on Portland on Saturday.
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