The start of the Caitlin Clark era has been exciting.
In her first WNBA game in Dallas, Clark showed the same impact she had in her four years at Iowa, especially with familiar Big Ten opponents on the court. Despite the Indiana Fever’s 79-76 loss to the Dallas Wings, Clark led her team with 21 points, including five 3-pointers.
“I thought we played really hard. Just a great atmosphere for women’s basketball,” Clark said in a postgame interview. “I think it’s a good kickoff to the WNBA season.”
Caitlin Clark in her WNBA preseason debut:
◽️ 21 PTS
◽️ 3 REB
◽️ 5 threes🎥 @IndianaFever pic.twitter.com/ZNvuoQN2q8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 4, 2024
Clark played alongside Erica Wheeler, allowing her to switch between point guard and shooting guard positions. She showcased her versatility with impressive plays like a long outlet pass and a deep 3-pointer in her professional debut.
Throughout the game, Clark displayed her shooting skills, scoring 16 points in the first half alone. Despite a strong performance, she acknowledged areas for improvement, including turnovers and team passing.
Coach Christie Sides emphasized that it’s a learning process for the team, especially since they had just started practicing. Other rookies, like Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith, also made solid contributions in the preseason game.
The Fever’s next preseason game is scheduled for Friday, May 10.
Reese finishes one rebound shy of double-double in debut
Angel Reese, a former LSU star, also made her preseason debut with the Chicago Sky, showcasing her skills on the court. Despite a loss to the Minnesota Lynx, Reese scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds, displaying her aggressiveness around the rim.
Additional rookies like Kamilla Cardoso and Alissa Pili also had opportunities to showcase their talent in the preseason matchups.
Required reading
(Photos: Cooper Neill / NBAE via Getty Images)