The New York Liberty seemed to have constructed a defensive maze that could rival a David Fincher thriller, as they managed to hold Caitlin Clark to a season-low three points in the Indiana Fever's stunning 104-68 loss. A performance so uncharacteristically off for Clark, one might speculate she forgot the secret code to unlock her usual scoring prowess.

The Liberty's win was not just a testament to their offensive prowess but an exhibition of their stifling defense. While the Fever had been battling through an exhaustive schedule of 11 games in 20 days, Liberty took no prisoners, establishing a 21-point lead in the first half and never looking back.

Caitlin Clark, the young prodigy who has become a household name faster than a viral TikTok dance, had one of those nights where the basket seemed to have a forcefield around it. She went 1-for-10 from the field and 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, prompting some to suggest she might need a GPS to find her shooting touch again (source).

On the other side, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Kayla Thornton played the roles of Dr. Doom for Clark, primarily responsible for guarding her and doing an alarmingly good job at it. Laney-Hamilton also contributed 20 points to emphasize that she wasn’t just a defensive specialist for the evening. Clark, likely haunted by a flagrant foul she endured from Chennedy Carter of the Chicago Sky the day before, appeared more disoriented than a pigeon in a wind tunnel.

Jonquel Jones added to the Liberty's dominion with 18 points and 13 rebounds, effectively dismantling any remaining delusions of a Fever comeback. The Liberty shot an impressive 57% from the field and over 40% from the three-point line, making it clear that they weren't just benchwarmers padding the stats during garbage time, but a well-oiled machine (source).

Clark did manage to salvage some respectability with five assists, two rebounds, two steals, one block, and three turnovers in her 28 minutes on the court. Still, those numbers looked like tiny buds in Liberty's flourishing garden of victory.

This encounter marked the Liberty's third win over Indiana this season, solidifying their mastery, with a winning margin that averaged 27.6 points over the three games. Indiana might be tempted to call Stephen King for tips on escaping this recent horror story, assuming, of course, they haven’t yet become too fatigued from their punishing schedule.

While Liberty’s defense turned Caitlin Clark's game into a sort of existential crisis that would challenge even Kafka, it's worth noting that this was merely a blip in her rising career. For now, though, NYC can revel in having pulled off a defensive feat so unyielding, even the mighty Clark was left questioning her compass.

As the dust settles, the Fever can only look forward while perhaps investing in some cartography classes for Clark. After all, if she can find her way back to form, this nightmarish game might eventually be just a quirky footnote in an illustrious career to come.