Caitlin Clark Mania officially began in action Thursday night in Indianapolis, with the WNBA rookie making her home debut in the Fever’s preseason win over the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark had 12 points, including a big 3-pointer late in the third quarter, to help extend the game to an 83-80 victory in front of 13,028 fans in the Fever’s only home game this preseason. Finished.
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft played 31 minutes, knocked down eight boards, had six assists, and one blocked shot, making 4-of-12 field goals and 2-of-9 3-pointers. Ta.
Clark’s most memorable moment came when she hit her signature deep three with 2:14 left in the third quarter.
Clark stepped up, shot the ball just in front of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse logo courtside, and hit a deep three that fell into the basket.
she had three morewhich didn’t count, but came in a few seconds later on a wacky bounce off the shot clock.
In the first quarter, Clark made an impressive play, essentially going end-to-end, outrunning four Dream defenders in the paint and scoring on a layup.
Although the game did not count, the game remains another memory in Fever and WNBA history as fans packed into Indianapolis Arena for the first chance to see Clark play on his new home court. It was a moment that will remain.
And Clark is already feeling the love from new fans.
“People definitely know who I am,” Clark said before the game. According to the Associated Press. “Sometimes it’s hard to go out and do what you want to do, but at the same time I wouldn’t want it any other way. That’s the best way to grow women’s basketball. That’s what we do here. I think they’re just as excited to play here as we are because that’s the best way to get the fans excited about it. So it’s all about having fun and soaking it up.”
There were also a number of special guests on Thursday night, including Pacers star Lance Stephenson.
Iowa teammate Gabby Marshall was also courtside supporting Clark in his first home game as a pro.
After the match, the two took pictures together and hugged.
The Fever open the season next Tuesday on the road in Connecticut against the Sun.
Two days later, they play their first home game of the regular season against the New York Liberty.
