Clark Shines in Preseason Game for Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever’s standout guard Caitlin Clark had an impressive performance against Nigeria on Saturday night, scoring 12 points in just 13 minutes. It seems she’s set for the regular season.

Clark had some worries regarding an injury during Thursday’s preseason game against the Dallas Wings, but was cleared and not listed on the injury report before Saturday’s matchup. In fact, she played the second-most minutes among starters during the team’s 105-57 victory.

During the game, Clark made 3-of-4 field goals, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. She also contributed four assists, two rebounds, and a steal.

Earlier in the preseason, things hadn’t gone as smoothly for her. In the first game against the New York Liberty on April 25, she struggled, managing only seven points on 2 of 10 shooting. However, she quickly bounced back, scoring 21 points in just 16 minutes against Dallas before this match, finishing the last two preseason games with a total of 33 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

The Fever’s regular season kicks off on May 9 against the Dallas Wings and the Paige Buccaneers, and it’s a highly anticipated game, especially considering it will feature four former No. 1 overall picks from the WNBA Draft. Clark is set to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, while her teammate Aliyah Boston was the No. 1 pick in 2023. The Wings have had the last two top picks as well.

All eyes will be on Clark, who missed a significant portion of the last season due to injury. Saturday’s opener will mark her first regular-season game since last July. Her return is eagerly awaited, given her potential to drive television ratings and attract interest to the league.

The WNBA is certainly excited for Clark’s comeback, evident in the announcement that all 44 Fever games will be aired on national television. The upcoming game in Indianapolis is expected to draw considerable attention.