Caitlin Clark Returns to the WNBA, but Not as Expected

Caitlin Clark finally made her eagerly awaited return to the WNBA on Saturday afternoon, yet the game didn’t quite unfold as she had hoped. Her team, the Indiana Fever, faced an upset defeat, losing 107-104 to the Dallas Wings. This marked her first appearance since suffering a season-ending injury last year.

In the closing moments of the game, Clark attempted a shot with under ten seconds left, but it didn’t go in. Unfortunately, this was her seventh miss from beyond the arc for the day, and to add to the frustration, she’d only hit one of five shots in the final quarter.

There was a glimmer of hope for the Fever when Paige Bueckers missed two crucial free throws. That play ended up focusing on Kelsey Mitchell, who barely missed a long-range shot that could have sent the game into overtime. Despite the loss, Mitchell had a standout performance, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 30 points.

Clark ended with 20 points, shooting 7-of-18 overall and 2-of-9 from three-point range, in addition to contributing seven assists and five rebounds.

On a positive note, she reached a milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point in just her 54th game, making her one of only eight players in WNBA history to achieve this within their first 54 games.

Clark’s previous season was marred by injuries, as she only played in 13 games, and had been sidelined since a groin injury on July 15.

Interestingly, this game featured the last three No. 1 picks in the draft: Clark for the Fever, Bueckers, and Azi Fudd, who plays for the Wings.

Last season, the Fever made it to the playoffs but fell to the Las Vegas Aces, who would go on to win their third championship in four years.