Excitement Surrounds Kate Clark’s Return

Indiana Fever is thrilled to have Kate Clark back, and it seems LeBron James shares that enthusiasm.

After missing five games due to a strained quad, Clark was back on the court Saturday, facing off against Liberty. The 2024 Rookie of the Year didn’t take long to make an impact. She scored 32 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and dished out nine assists, hitting 14 of 17 from three-point range. This crucial victory ended Liberty’s impressive 9-0 start, with a final score of 102-88.

James took to X to express his excitement over Clark’s impressive comeback. “CC Effect!! You’re welcome! You’ve missed it!” he shared.

James and Clark have had a supportive relationship, dating back to her collegiate days at Iowa. He’s often defended her against criticism, especially during her transition into the league. For instance, when veteran players questioned her, he stood by her. Brenna Stewart even suggested Clark deserves recognition as one of the greatest college players of all time.

In April 2024, James voiced his admiration: “If you don’t recognize Kaitlyn Clark’s game, you just hate!”

He continued to back her even after she scored 31 points with 12 assists in a significant victory last August, posting again in her honor: “Kaitlyn Clark!!!! Hello, I hate it,” he commented on X.

Clark hasn’t shied away from praising James either. In an April interview with David Letterman, she referred to him as her NBA “goat,” highlighting his greatness. “He seems like the greatest player ever,” she said. “He’s still one of the best players in the world. It’s incredible to see how he carries himself on the court. I’ve always admired him.”

Interestingly, during Clark’s time off, WNBA ratings dipped significantly—down 53%. Fever games averaged 1.81 million viewers with Clark, but that plummeted to 847,000 without her.

All in all, it’s clear that both the Fever and fans are eager to see more of Clark, while James remains a steadfast supporter.