WNBA Rookie Sensation Caitlin Clark Dazzles in Preseason Debut Despite Narrow Loss.
ARLINGTON, Texas (May 4, 2024) – The highly anticipated professional debut of Caitlin Clark did not disappoint, as the WNBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick put on a scoring clinic for the Indiana Fever despite their narrow 79-76 preseason loss to the Dallas Wings.
In front of a raucous, sold-out crowd of 6,251 fans at UT Arlington’s College Park Center, Clark finished with a game-high 21 points on an efficient 6-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-13 from three-point range.
The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer wasted no time showcasing her offensive prowess at the pro level. Clark scored 11 of the Fever’s first 19 points, drilling her first two shots – both three-pointers off clean looks.
Caitlin Clark shakes off the defender and buries her fourth three of the half 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/WgebQlW0xu
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 4, 2024
Her hot hand continued in the opening half where she poured in 16 points, headlined by a jaw-dropping stepback triple over veteran Dallas forward Natasha Howard.
“I was able to get a pretty clean look for my first shot,” Clark said afterward. “It’s always nice to see your first shot go in when you’re a shooter.”
Foul trouble limited Clark’s impact in the third quarter as she was whistled for her third and fourth fouls in quick succession.
She sat for an extended stretch before re-entering the game in the fourth quarter refreshed. Clark immediately made her presence felt, burying another three-pointer – her fifth of the evening – and finding fellow rookie Aliyah Boston for an assist on a slick pick-and-roll play.
With the score knotted at 76 and under 30 seconds remaining, Clark experienced her official “welcome to the WNBA” moment.
As the shot clock wound down, the dynamic guard probed into the lane but had her layup attempt emphatically rejected by the outstretched arms of the 6’5″ Howard.
Ultimately, it was Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale who played the role of hero, scoring the Wings’ final seven points, including the game-winning stepback three-pointer with just 3.0 seconds left on the clock.
Despite Clark’s offensive exploits, her off-balanced potential game-tying heave at the buzzer was off-target.
Beyond her 21 points, Clark contributed 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 5 turnovers in her 31 minutes of action. While pleased with her aggressive mindset, she acknowledged room for improvement.
“My biggest goal coming into tonight was to continue to be myself, play aggressive,” said Clark. “I thought that’s what I did. I think there’s a lot to be proud of.”
“At the same time, it’s preseason, so don’t get too disappointed by it,” she added. “Just go back and watch the film, learn from it, and get ready for our next one.”
Fever head coach Christie Sides echoed those sentiments, praising Clark’s mentality while recognizing the inevitable learning curve she faces adjusting to the WNBA’s elite talent and physicality.
“She works really hard to get some shots that she doesn’t have to work as hard for anymore,” Sides stated. The coach also revealed that Clark appeared “gassed” at the end of the first quarter, signaling her for a breather.
Wings coach Latricia Trammell credited her team’s improved defensive communication and intensity after a “passive” start for limiting Clark’s second-half impact.
While Clark was the undisputed headliner, she was joined in starring roles by Wings rookie Jaelyn Brown and veteran Ogunbowale. Brown matched Clark’s 21 points while Ogunbowale tallied 19 points, including the clutch game-winner.
“I had a horrible shooting day [9-for-24, 1-for-7 from three] but that’s why it’s a team, that’s why it’s not golf,” Ogunbowale remarked. “People like Jaelyn, the rest of the team, they kept it together, and I was able to come in and at the end hit that three, the only three I hit of the game actually.
But, it’s basketball, you just gotta shake it off and keep shooting.”
The star-studded showdown was a spectacle fitting for the sports-fueled day across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
In downtown Dallas, the NBA’s Mavericks hosted a first-round playoff series-clinching Game 6 victory over the LA Clippers.
Simultaneously, the NHL’s Stars were battling the Vegas Golden Knights in their own Game 6 before ultimately falling on the road.
Despite rooting interests being divided, scores of fans made the 25-mile trek to Arlington with homemade signs for Clark and donning her No. 22 Iowa jersey.
The hometown crowd was treated to an entertaining back-and-forth affair featuring seven lead changes and nine ties before Ogunbowale’s late heroics.
“You couldn’t ask for a better game, really, for women’s basketball to kick off this [WNBA] year,” Clark remarked. “A tremendous game coming down to the wire, both teams competing. That’s going to be the story of the entire year.”
As the Fever’s young core of Clark, Boston and 2022 No. 2 pick NaLyssa Smith gain valuable experience, the franchise is hopeful this talented trio can propel them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 – the last season of franchise icon Tamika Catchings’ illustrious career.
Fans in Indianapolis eager to catch Clark’s debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will get their chance sooner than expected.
The Fever’s preseason home finale against the Atlanta Dream has been rescheduled from May 10 to this Thursday, May 9, due to a scheduling conflict with an Indiana Pacers playoff game.
Clark and the Fever will then have one final tune-up on May 12 in Washington before opening the 2024 regular season on May 14 in Connecticut.
Their home opener is slated for two days later, on May 16, against the New York Liberty.
As her pro journey begins, all eyes will be fixated on whether Clark can sustain her prolific scoring ways and help restore the Fever to prominence. If her highly-anticipated debut is any indication, women’s basketball fans are in for an immensely entertaining rookie campaign from the must-see talent.
