Caitlin Clark returns to court with Fever, gets preseason win
NEW YORK — In her first WNBA motion since mid-July, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark completed with seven factors, 4 assists and three rebounds in simply shy of 17 minutes because the Fever beat the New York Liberty of their preseason opener on Saturday, 109-91.
It wasn’t Clark’s first recreation again general for the reason that 2025 marketing campaign, the place she was restricted to simply 13 video games due to accidents. That distinction got here final month, when the 2024 No. 1 decide suited up for USA Basketball and gained MVP of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in San Juan.
Nonetheless, prior to tip on Saturday, Clark described his feelings as “super, super excited” even when the sport did not technically depend.
“I think anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes, you don’t take that for granted, especially having come off of last year. I didn’t really get to do that very much,” Clark stated. “So I think for me, coming into this game, just a lot of excitement, not a ton of nerves, just like, get out there, run around… everyone’s just trying to get their jogging again, same goes for me too.”
On Saturday, Clark hit her first two pictures from the sector for 5 fast factors within the first 71 seconds earlier than lacking her subsequent eight pictures to end the sport. She began the second half earlier than sitting on the 7:06 mark of the third, with not one of the Fever’s starters taking part in greater than 22 minutes.
“I thought she was good,” Fever coach Stephanie White stated. “We play differently when she’s on the floor. And so [we are] learning how to play with her in the action. I thought she didn’t force anything. She played with great intention, and everything she did was in the flow. She was communicating at a high level.
“If we’re speaking in regards to the shot-making, that is going to come. They play her otherwise within the W than they do in worldwide basketball, and so we have simply obtained to discover methods to free her up to get her some simple seems.”
The Fever – who have been with out Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull (precautionary) in addition to new acquisition Ty Harris (knee) — have been led by 18 factors from Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Kelsey Mitchell apiece, whereas rookie Raven Johnson shined with six points and a game-high eight assists in her first WNBA contest. The Liberty were paced by 20 points from Han Xu plus 16 from Breanna Stewart.
Clark’s third year in the league will be all about getting back – and staying – on the floor and trying to build off an impressive start to her WNBA career.
Even amid an injury-plagued year, the Fever surprised the league last season by rallying to a semifinal berth and positioning themselves five minutes away from a Finals appearance, before falling to the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces in additional time of Game 5.
“My first two years of my profession is like, every part feels prefer it’s actually, actually good or it is actually, actually dangerous,” Clark said. “That’s simply sort of how professional basketball works, whether or not it is on the lads’s aspect, whether or not it is on the girl’s aspect. You’ve sort of simply obtained to keep proper within the center. I feel that is going to be vital for our staff. It’s a protracted season.”
What should help her get through those peaks and valleys is the joy she’s playing with, as White described, in being back on the floor.
“In apply, her vitality is totally different, she’s carrying herself otherwise,” White said. “You may inform she was a bit of itchy and antsy earlier than coaching camp began. And then day one in all coaching camp, it was like, ‘I can simply breathe and I can play, and I can get pleasure from taking part in the sport once more.’
“I’m glad that she had those games with USA Basketball, because she was coming into training camp having played, having had rhythm, timing, and now it’s just fine-tuning some of those things. And she’s in a great place.”
Clark and the Fever have two extra tune-ups with preseason tilts towards the Dallas Wings on Thursday and an exhibition towards the Nigeria nationwide staff on May 2 earlier than opening their season on May 9 towards the Wings – a matchup that includes the final 4 No. 1 general picks.
