Caitlin Clark didn’t ease back into WNBA action, she stormed back with authority.
After missing nearly three weeks due to a quad injury, the Indiana Fever star returned to the starting lineup against the New York Liberty, the very team against whom she was injured.
Many expected her to take her time getting back to form. Instead, she delivered one of the most electric performances of her young WNBA career.
The Fever trailed early, falling behind by nine points in the first quarter. That’s when Clark took over. In the span of just 38 seconds, she erased the deficit with three consecutive three-pointers, each more audacious than the last.
One bomb came from the Commissioner’s Cup logo, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd and immediately tying the game at 24-24.
Nike, quick to capitalize on the moment, highlighted Clark’s barrage on social media with a fitting post: “When @CaitlinClark22 makes it rain, it pours.”
Her shooting surge was only part of the story. Clark finished the half with 25 points, accounting for nearly half of Indiana’s 53 first-half total. She nailed six threes, reigniting a Fever offense that had struggled without her.
The connection with Aliyah Boston was back in full swing, with Clark finding her frontcourt teammate for a smooth assist early on-evidence that the rhythm was returning.
New shoes, new energy and one costly technical
Clark returned to the court wearing her latest Nike Protro PE sneakers, dubbed “The Bellas,” named after her beloved Golden Retriever.
Whether it was the shoes or the hunger after 19 days away, Clark played with unmatched energy and confidence.
“This was easily the best half of basketball in her WNBA career,” Fever coach Stephanie White said after the game. And she wasn’t wrong.
Clark played 16 of the first 20 minutes, dictating the pace, burying deep shots-including two from beyond 30 feet-and showing no signs of hesitation following her injury.
But the half wasn’t without controversy. With 4:37 left in the second quarter, Clark picked up her first regular-season technical foul for disputing an out-of-bounds call.
Though the Fever challenged the decision, the call stood, costing them a timeout. Sabrina Ionescu promptly made the technical free throw.
While Clark received a technical during the preseason, it didn’t count toward her official tally. Under WNBA rules, her first three techs carry $200 fines, escalating for each additional infraction.
Last season, Clark accumulated six and nearly faced suspension. The league has since raised the threshold to eight.
Clark had previously told WNBA legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi that she would limit herself to just two technical fouls this season.
When Taurasi set the over/under at 4.5, both she and Bird took the over. Now, with one already logged in just her 10th game, Clark is halfway to her own limit-and White may soon need to have a conversation about composure.
Still, Clark’s return was a jolt of adrenaline for Indiana. Her presence alone shifted the momentum, especially with Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston still ramping up and Sophie Cunningham yet to fully hit stride.
The Fever, once written off during Clark’s absence, suddenly look like a team with postseason potential again.
“I’m out there to win and give everything I have for this team,” Clark said confidently before the game. “Why would I be out there to play 20 minutes?”
She backed up her words. With her return, the Fever got more than a player-they got their heartbeat back.
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