Portland Fire Fall to Indiana Fever, 112-98
A Caitlin Clark triple-double and a flurry of Fire fouls paved the way.
Sometimes, a game holds more importance than merely who wins or loses. A game may hold more significance than who scored the most points, or who had the biggest moments.
Last night, the Portland Fire played such a game.
The home team fell to the Indiana Fever 112-98, behind a triple-double from second year pro Caitlin Clark, living up to her billing as a superstar driving the growth of the game.
Still, last night’s contest at Moda Center taught the world about Portland. In the past week, Fever role player Sophie Cunningham became the biggest story in professional sports. First, an ESPN feature piece quoted Cunningham framing transgender women as “biological men”. In the days that followed, the eighth year guard doubled down, earning reverence from the far-right.
After a firestorm of Cunningham supporters wreaked havoc at the Fever’s last game in Seattle - inciting the suspension of a Seattle Storm minority owner - a similar movement made plans for Portland. Enter Fire head coach Alex Sarama.
“When I think about Portland, and what it means to live here, its inclusivity, its respect, and that’s why I’m so proud to be here. So, I just think that’s what’s most important tonight, and for our fans, I want them to come and be comfortable, and be safe, like normal.”
Taking his pregame comments one step further, the first year coach affirmed Portland’s transgender community.
“They have our full support, and they’re a very important part of the values of the Portland Fire, at the end of the day. That’s why I said I want to make sure that all the fans who are coming are coming here tonight, I know our organization is going to be intentional, just making sure like always [that] our fan base feel comfortable and supported when they come here to the Fire Pit.”
Portland fans delivered on Sarama’s promise. Many fans snuck in 11x17 transgender & pride flags, in direct violation of Moda Center’s flag policy. Many more wore pride & trans shirts, hats, pins, or held signs staking their place in the greatest civil rights struggle of our time. What’s more, last night’s game set an attendance record for the expansion franchise: 19,959 fans packed the arena, and the overwhelming majority of those in attendance boomed a chorus of boos upon Cunningham.
Given all of that context surrounding it, the actual game in the court paled in comparison.
Portland experimented - as the first year franchise with a first year head coach have often done this season - starting rookie forward Nyadiew Puoch in a bigger lineup alongside center Megan DiLeo, veteran wings Emily Engstler & Bridget Carleton, and point guard Carla Leite.
The Australian rookie, who wields all the physical tools to someday dominate the W, is still learning how to defend this league’s bigger, faster competition. Last night, she drew five personal fouls. Her woes were a reflection of the game’s great difference.
While Portland’s big lineup kept the Fire close on the glass, only out-rebounded 30 to 25, Indiana pulled away behind a flurry of fouls. As a team, the Fever shot 30/34 from the charity stripe, while their hosts only shot 14/18.
Caitlin Clark, looking every bit of the gamechanger evangelizing the sport since her days at Iowa, scored a triple-double: 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell also provided 26 points. The firebrand Cunningham contributed 13 points, 6th most on her team.
Canadian star Bridget Carleton led the way for Portland, with 26 points on 9/14 shooting, and an impressive 7/11 (approximately 63%) on threes. French guard Carla Leite offered 20 points on an outstanding 6/9 field goal clip, plus 12 assists.
The loss drops Portland to 11-18 on the season, and marks their fourth consecutive defeat. Portland will play again tomorrow at 12:30 PM PST, hosting Beaverton native Cameron Brink and her Los Angeles Sparks at Moda Center.
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Matt Bagley is a professional sportswriter and broadcaster with a passion for women’s sports. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his birth family, his chosen family, and one very pesky house panther.
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Rogue Trans Outreach is a non-profit supportive network for transgender residents of rural Southern Oregon, where Matt grew up. They recently opened Free Closet in Ashland, a safe space where individuals can access gender-affirming clothing and accessories at no cost. To learn more about donating, browse this link.