Clark OK after exiting Fever’s preseason home opener early
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark‘s first home recreation in additional than 9 months was imagined to be a celebration.
Instead, she gave the Indiana Fever and followers a scare Thursday night time.
Clark crumpled to the ground early within the third quarter, when dallas ahead Alanna Smith collided along with her leg on a shot try, after which limped towards the bench as she walked off the harm throughout a replay assessment that resulted in a flagrant 1 name. The two-time All-Star then made two free throws earlier than departing and watching the remainder of the sport from the bench.
“I feel good. I just landed on my kneecap really hard,” Clark mentioned after scoring 21 factors in a 95-80 loss to the Wings. “I know there’s a committee of people that really wanted them [the refs] to start calling things, and I thought they did a great job of that. Honestly, I thought the refs were great, and it’s preseason, so you’re probably going to see more fouls called. I expect that number to drop. But I think overall, it’s going to improve the product.”
Initially, it seemed as if little had modified since Clark final suited up in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 13, when the Fever beat Dallas.
The pregame autograph line snaked via the seats, the No. 22 jerseys and Clark T-shirts had been as modern Thursday night time as they had been throughout her record-breaking rookie season. Clark was greeted with the same old loud cheers throughout participant introductions.
Sure, it was solely a preseason recreation, nevertheless it featured the league’s previous two Rookie of the Year award winners — Clark and Paige Bueckers. Yet, Fever followers had been craving for this second since Clark went down July 15 due to a proper groin harm that pressured her to overlook the All-Star Game and the All-Star weekend festivities in Indianapolis, in addition to Indiana’s ultimate 22 regular-season video games and its unimaginable run to the WNBA semifinals.
Clark first returned to the court docket for Team USA within the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying video games in early March, then helped the Fever open the preseason with a 109-91 victory at New York regardless of a 2-for-10 taking pictures efficiency.
This time, Clark seemed extra like herself. She scored 14 of her 21 factors within the first quarter, had 4 assists, three turnovers and two rebounds whereas going 4-of-6 from the sector and 11-of-13 on the free throw line in 16 minutes.
“We had planned for her to come out about that time anyway,” coach Stephanie White mentioned. “It was just an extra precaution getting her out at that moment, but the plan was for her to start the third quarter and then get her out quickly.”
White additionally held out All-Star heart Aliyah Boston for the second straight recreation due to a decrease leg harm. All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell completed with 10 factors in 17 minutes.
Not everybody got here to see Clark, although.
A smattering of followers additionally confirmed up in Bueckers jerseys, and she or he dazzled the gang by scoring 20 factors in 20 minutes on 8-of-12 taking pictures. Rookie Azzi Fuddthe No. 1 decide, added 4 factors in 16 minutes because the Wings used a 22-5 second-quarter run to grab management with a 53-26 lead. They by no means trailed once more.
Whether that is a sign that one in all final season’s 10-win groups could possibly be headed for main enchancment stays to be seen.
And though there have been loads of empty seats Thursday night time, a rarity when Clark takes the stage, longtime Clark admirers welcomed the prospect to get an early take a look at what they anticipate will likely be an enormous season.
