After sitting out for three weeks, Caitlin Clark returned to the Indiana Fever lineup in a big way, leaving no doubt that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Facing the New York Liberty-the defending champions who had started the season with a perfect 9-0 record-Clark scored 32 points, had 9 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead her team to a victory that ended the Liberty’s winning streak. It was Clark’s second career game with at least 30 points and nine assists. She is one shy of tying the all-time leader, Diana Taurasi, and will surely tie her this season and maybe even surpass her.
This was uncharted territory for Clark. Between her 139 games at Iowa and her 46 as a Fever rookie, she had never missed time due to injury. Her return showed exactly why the Fever were considered championship contenders before the start of the season and why she’s in the MVP conversation with A’Ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier. She’s back, and she’s unstoppable.
Rebecca Lobo: “The WNBA Has Never Seen This”
The basketball world lit up when Clark made three long-range shots in an astonishing 38 seconds late in the first quarter, tying the game and setting the stage for the Fever’s victory. It was a moment reminiscent of her electric college days, now unleashed at the professional level. Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo, who once starred for the Liberty and now breaks down games for ESPN, was astonished. She said it was a feat she’d never seen in the WNBA, a league she’s been part of since its early days.
Lobo raved about Clark’s flair, saying her knack for seizing the moment is special. For the 5-5 Fever, who are still finding their rhythm midseason, that spark could be the key to a great season-maybe even their first playoff series win since 2015, when they fell short in the Finals under coach Stephanie White. Clark’s comeback has reignited excitement around the Fever and the WNBA as a whole. LeBron James was among those hyping her return, and for good reason-her energy lifts not only her team, but also the entire arena and the whole league.
Fever’s Next Tests: Clark Takes on the League’s Elite
With a packed schedule ahead, Clark’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. Tonight, the Fever will face the Connecticut Sun (2-8), who earned their first win of the year against Indiana while Clark was out. With Clark back in the lineup, fans are expecting a different outcome this time. Then, on Thursday, they’ll meet the Golden State Valkyries for the first time in history, followed by a blockbuster showdown in Las Vegas against A’Ja Wilson’s Aces on Sunday. That matchup promises fireworks, with two of the league’s top talents going head-to-head. The Fever are counting on Clark’s magic to help them get through this gauntlet.
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