Jewell Loyd scores 32 before sellout of 18,000, Seattle holds off Caitlin Clark and Fever 85-83

SEATTLE (AP) — The decisive losses Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever endured to start the WNBA season were easier to handle than the last two setbacks that were decided by a total of six points.

Jewell Loyd scored 21 of her 32 points in the first half, Sami Whitcomb scored all 10 of her points in the fourth quarter, and the Seattle Storm held off Clark and the Fever 85-83 on Wednesday night, two days after Indiana's 88-84 loss to the Connecticut Sun.

“These two definitely hurt the most. We're what, six points away from being 2-3 instead of 0-5,” Clark said. “It's just that close and there's so many instances going back and watching the film and little things you can easily fix and clean up that would go a really long way.”

Loyd, last year’s leading scorer in the WNBA, shook off a sluggish start to the season to post the 22nd 30-point game of her career. Loyd and Whitcomb combined for 18 of Seattle’s 27 points in the fourth quarter, and the Storm (2-3) needed all those points to hold off a late rally and keep the Fever (0-5) winless.

“I just kind of cleared my head. I was in a good headspace coming into today's game. ... I just kind of reset and changed my routine a little bit and then caught a little rhythm,” Loyd said.

Clark finished with a team-high 21 points two days after rolling her left ankle in the home loss to Connecticut. She struggled early against Seattle, but sparked a third-quarter rally and helped give the Fever a 60-58 lead going into the fourth.

While most of the sellout crowd of 18,343 — the largest for a game in Seattle — wore the green and gold of the Storm, there was a healthy smattering of Indiana and Iowa No. 22 jerseys and shirts for Clark.

The third quarter was a stretch where she looked like the Clark everyone came to know collegiately at Iowa when she was the national player of the year.

“It's still a process of learning when to be assertive,” Clark said. “Sometimes it's hard when you start off a little bit cold.”

Seattle led by as many as seven early in the fourth quarter. Clark’s three free throws with 1:50 left pulled the Fever within 79-77, but Seattle got baskets from Jordan Horston and Ezi Magbegor on consecutive possessions.

The final minute was filled with debated calls and multiple officials' reviews. The Fever pulled within 84-83 after two free throws by Clark. Seattle committed a turnover with 11 seconds left, giving Indiana a chance to win.

Clark stumbled after the inbound pass and a jump ball with 4.7 seconds left between Aliyah Boston and Horston was tipped to Nneka Ogwumike, who hit one of two free throws. Indiana was out of timeouts and could only get Boston’s desperation attempt at the buzzer that was off line.

Ogwumike added 22 points after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.

“Today was one of those days where I knew I had to push through some things,” Ogwumike said. “I just pride myself on being efficient in every way.”

Clark put on a show the last time she was in the building during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament when she helped lead Iowa to the Final Four, including a triple-double in the regional final.

On Wednesday, Clark missed her first four shots before scoring on a baseline drive early in the second quarter. Her first 3-pointer didn’t come until midway through the third quarter and she finished 6 of 16 shooting, including 2 for 8 from behind the arc.

Seattle rookie Nika Muhl made her debut for Seattle after missing the first four games of the season due to visa issues. Muhl checked in late in the third quarter to a rousing ovation, only to see Clark knock down a 3 over her.

UP NEXT

Fever: At Los Angeles on Friday.

Storm: Hosts Washington on Saturday.

WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, right, signs autographs before the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives as Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl (1) defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston drives as Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

A young fan holds a sign for Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during the second half of the Fever's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is defended by Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl, left, and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark greet each other following a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl, left, and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark pose for photos following a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) moves the ball as Indiana Fever center Temi Fagbenle, left, and guard Caitlin Clark defend during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives as Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives as Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 85-83. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is defended by Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor (13) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark signs autographs before the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Storm guard Nika Muhl warms up for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, right, drives against Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Indiana Fever guard Kristy Wallace (3) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball as Seattle Storm guard Sami Whitcomb (32) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) points downcourt as Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) runs nearby during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said he agreed with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday to properly manage their nations' differences as they emerge from a hostile era in which minister-to-minister contacts were banned and trade barriers cost Australian exporters up to 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion) a year.

Li, Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China’s desire to invest in critical minerals.

Li, China’s most senior leader after President Xi Jinping, arrived in the South Australian state capital of Adelaide on Saturday and the national capital of Canberra late Sunday in the first visit to the country by a Chinese premier in seven years.

Li told reporters after Monday's meeting that the bilateral relationship was “on the right track of steady improvement and development.”

“We ... had a candid exchange of views on some differences and disagreements and agreed to properly manage them in a manner befitting our comprehensive strategic partnership,” Li said through an interpreter.

Albanese, who in November last year became the first Australian prime minister to visit China since 2016, described the discussions as “constructive.”

“Australia advocates that we should all work together to promote a regional balance where no country dominates and no country is dominated,” Albanese said.

“I’ve made it clear as nations with different histories, political systems and values, we will cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest,” the Australian leader added.

Their relations have improved markedly since Albanese’s center-left Labor Party was elected in 2022 following nine years of conservative government in Australia.

Most of the official and unofficial trade barriers Beijing introduced in 2020 on coal, cotton, wine, barley and wood have been lifted since Albanese was elected.

Beijing had banned minister-to-minister contacts as it froze out the previous Australian government diplomatically.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said before the meeting that he would raise the issue of China's ban on Australian rock lobsters and exports from two beef processing plants.

“The mere fact that we have the first visit by a Chinese premier, the second-most powerful person in China, ... since 2017 is an enormous opportunity to continue that dialogue, to continue stabilizing our relationship and address some of the outstanding issues,” Watt said.

Li was served lobster at a business lunch with winemakers on Sunday and wagyu beef at a state lunch Monday, news media reported.

Li planned to underscore China’s interest in buying a bigger stake in Australia’s critical minerals sector, which is essential to the global transition to renewable energy sources, by visiting a Chinese-controlled lithium processing plant in Western Australia state Tuesday.

Li visited New Zealand before Australia and is scheduled to stop in Malaysia late Tuesday before returning to China.

Australia shares U.S. concerns over China’s global dominance in critical minerals and control over supply chains in the renewable energy sector.

Citing Australia’s national interests, Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently ordered five Chinese-linked companies to divest their shares in the rare earth mining company Northern Minerals.

Watt said Chinese investment was not banned from the sector, but must meet national security criteria.

Albanese later told Li at a state lunch, "We won't always agree and the points on which we disagree won’t simply disappear if we leave them in silence.”

That appeared to be in response to a statement by Li, released by the Chinese Embassy in Canberra on Sunday, that he recommended “shelving differences” between the two countries in the interests of bolstering relations.

Albanese confirmed he had raised with Li recent clashes between the two countries’ militaries in the South China Sea and Yellow Sea that Australia argues endangered Australian personnel.

Chinese and Australian officials had agreed at the meeting to discuss improving military-to-military communications to avoid unintended incidents, Albanese said.

Relations tumbled over Australian legislation that banned covert foreign interference in Australian politics, the exclusion of Chinese-owned telecommunications giant Huawei from rolling out the national 5G network due to security concerns, and Australia’s call for an independent investigation into the causes of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benjamin Herscovitch, a China expert at Australian National University, said he did not expect China to get any firm commitments from Australia during Li’s visit.

The two countries signed several agreements on Monday to cooperate on trade, education, climate change, culture and intellectual property.

Beijing would like to remove Australian opposition to China joining a trade bloc known as the CPTPP, more investment in Australian critical minerals and ambitious new cooperative agreements on science and technology, Herscovitch said.

But Australia had already made a concession to China in rebuilding relations through inaction by not imposing sanctions on Chinese entities that help Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, he said.

“Australia is essentially giving China a free pass on that issue,” Herscovitch said, while Australian allies, including the United States, Britain and the European Union were imposing sanctions.

Hundreds of pro-China demonstrators, human rights activists and democracy advocates have lined the routes of Li’s cavalcades in Adelaide and Canberra.

Pro China and pro Hong Kong supporters wait outside a winery where Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, June 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes, Pool)

Police watch as pro China and pro Hong Kong supporters wait outside a winery where Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, June 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kelly Barnes, Pool)

A pro-Hong Kong protestor holds a placard ahead of a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Adelaide Zoo, Australia, Sunday, June 16, 2024. Li is on a relations-mending mission with panda diplomacy, rock lobsters and China's global dominance in the critical minerals sector high on the agenda during his four day visit to Australia. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Pool Photo via AP)

Protesters hold placards ahead of the vist by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Adelaide Zoo, Australia, Sunday, June 16, 2024. Li is on a relations-mending mission with panda diplomacy, rock lobsters and China's global dominance in the critical minerals sector high on the agenda during his four day visit to Australia. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shake hands at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Mick Tsikas/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, signs the visitor book as Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Mick Tsikas/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shake hands at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Mick Tsikas/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang signs the visitor book at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Mick Tsikas/Pool Photo via AP)

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, gestures to Chinese Premier Li Qiang after he signed the visitor's book at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li and Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Mick Tsikas/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang inspects a guard of honor outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP)

A gun salute as Chinese Premier Li Qiang inspects a guard of honor outside Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang inspects a guard of honor outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, speaks across the table to Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese during a leaders meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, June 17, 2024. Li, Albanese and senior ministers of both administrations met at Parliament House on Monday to discuss thorny issues, including lingering trade barriers, conflict between their militaries in international waters and China's desire to invest in critical minerals. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP)