All smiles: Hull catches fire as Indiana Fever earn second consecutive win

INDIANAPOLIS -- It is not rare to see Lexie Hull smile. The Indiana Fever guard has a bright personality.

Hull can often be seen laughing with teammates and coaches and routinely gives out high fives to show her encouragement.

However, her smile might have been a little larger than usual Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Entering the game averaging 3.7 points per game, Hull torched the Seattle Storm for 22 points on 6-for-7 shooting from behind the arc.

The Fever outscored the Storm 33-17 in the fourth quarter on way to a 92-75 win.

Hull provided a much-needed spark off the bench, finishing with a plus-minus of +20 in approximately 21 minutes of action. She drew two charges and knocked down two triples in the fourth quarter, helping her team run away with its second consecutive win.

Even better? Hull had family in town to watch her career-high scoring effort.

“To get a win in front of anyone is great,” Hull said. “To win in front of my grandma, who came all the way from Spokane, and my sister who came from Austin, it’s amazing. To have them courtside was super cool, too.”

Hull, who was a key member of Stanford’s 2021 national championship team, showed why she was the No. 6 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. Her energy and shooting ability will be needed down the stretch as Indiana looks to secure its first playoff berth since 2016.

Indiana point guard Caitlin Clark joked afterward about changing her profile bio on X to “Lexie Hull fan page.” 

Of course, Hull was all smiles as Clark hyped her up in the post-game press conference.

Clark continued her strong play as the Fever earned their first win over the Storm this season. Seattle won the previous three meetings but looked outmatched Sunday.

Clark, who finished with 23 points, five rebounds and nine assists, gave credit to the team’s ball movement and unselfishness.

“When we move the ball like that and have our feet ready to knock down shots, we are really hard to beat,” Clark said. “Once we got going in the third and fourth quarters, with the defense we were already playing, I thought we were in a pretty good position to win.”

Clark broke the WNBA single-season assist record by a rookie (225) against the Storm, passing Ticha Penicheiro's previous mark. Her three made 3-pointers pushed her total to 78 this season -- a franchise rookie record. 

The “fiery” floor general also received her fifth technical foul Sunday. She smacked the padding on the base of the basket after missing a shot on the other end of the court. If Clark receives two more technicals this season, she will be suspended one game.

“I don’t need Caitlin to sit out a game,” Indiana head coach Christie Sides said. “That is definitely going to be a conversation (between us). She is just a fiery competitor. I don’t want to take that away from her. That is the difference in who she is.”

Added Clark: “I think I could have done a better job at regaining my cool. That’s like the fire and passion that just gets me going.”

Fever starters Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston had productive showings against Seattle as well. Mitchell netted a game-high 27 points after scoring 28 against Phoenix Friday. Boston nearly recorded a triple-double with nine points, 15 rebounds and eight assists (career high).

The Storm was led by Olympic gold medalist Jewell Loyd, who scored 26 points. Skylar Diggins-Smith added 15 points.

The Fever have matched last season’s win total (13-27) with 12 games to play. Indiana is 13-15 overall and remains in seventh place in the league standings. Seattle is 17-10 and in fifth place.

The Fever will have a break this week before its next contest on Saturday. Indiana will travel to Minnesota to take on the Lynx (19-8).

Beth Prince State Farm Player of the Game: Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull for her effort off the bench.

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