Caitlin Clark put up big stats but also had one terrible metric in Fever loss to Dream

The eyes of the WNBA are always extra tuned in when Caitlin Clark takes on Angel Reese.

That was the case on Thursday night as the Indiana Fever clashed with the Atlanta Dream, and it was Reese's Dream taking the 108-101 win despite solid stats from Clark.

A couple numbers of Clark's, though, might've told the story.

Yes, she dropped 26 points and dished out seven assists.

But she also had five turnovers and was a game-worst minus-13 in her minutes on the court.

So in the end, that tells a very mixed story.

Clark had a relatively efficient game offensively. She shot 8-for-17 from the floor, 2-for-5 from 3-point range and 8-for-12 from the foul line. That will get it done on most nights.

And of course, this wasn't all about Clark. The Fever gave up 108 points. That's not going to work very often in a 40-minute game.

But there is a case to be made that Clark's five turnovers relative to seven assists simply isn't good enough. That ratio, and her plus-minus, point to a player who makes it a little too easy for the other team to score.

Clark has been criticized defensively all season long as teams attack her in pick-and-roll action, and a night like this won't help her cause.

It's just one game, so it's not meant to necessarily be a judgment on the whole season.

Besides, the Dream are a good team. They aren't just Reese. They often have all five of their starters approaching double-figure scoring on the same night, which is proof of impressive balance.

Clark has talent around her, too, so really, these could be good matchups for years to come.

On this night, though, Clark didn't impact winning in the way the Fever would've liked, and so Indiana came up short.

MORE: Fever tie a brutal WNBA record in nightmare loss to Dream