Caitlin Clark sometimes thought fever was near.
Before his first basketball game in New York City, Clark said Thursday’s 36-point loss to Liberty had moments where he felt it was a close game and moments when it was clear it wasn’t going to be enough. looked back. “Efforts are made early in the game when there are moments when you shouldn’t be tired,” she said.
And Clark put together the best quarter of his career to start the Fever’s rematch with Liberty on Saturday.
Clark had 10 points and three assists in the opening frame and made two 3-pointers to keep the game hot as Liberty built an early double-digit lead in the home opener at Barclays Center. contributed to.
She started off by driving in and scoring on the Fever’s second possession, driving in Bethniya Rainey-Hamilton, who was her go-to defender and a plus-43 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse earlier this week, and on the next possession. Then I passed it to Narissa Smith.
Her 3-pointer with just over six minutes left in the quarter also gave the Fever a one-point lead.
Clark sparked Indiana’s transition offense, telling ESPN between quarters that he thought the on-court movement was “beneficial.”
She added three more late in the quarter, arcing away from Laney and creating a temporarily open shooting window.
That was all Clark needed.
Clark started his WNBA career with two losses and showed his potential in those two games to be selected No. 1 overall, but he also experienced some growing pains.
She spun the ball over 10 times. She was limited to three shots against Liberty on Thursday, but she only made two shots and finished with nine points.
At least that changed on Thursday in the first quarter.
She added three more points early in the second, giving her 13 points.
And it all led to a strong start to her New York basketball debut.
“It’s a great environment for women’s basketball,” Clark told ESPN about Barclays Center between quarters. “It is amazing.”
