Caitlin Clark made an impressive return from injury, scoring a season-high 32 points as the Indiana Fever triumphed over the New York Liberty with a score of 102-88 on Saturday. This game marked her first appearance in three weeks after missing five games due to a left quad injury. Clark wasted no time demonstrating her skills, netting 25 points in the first half alone.
Clark's total of 32 points not only highlights her exceptional talent but also ranks as the second-highest score in her WNBA career, just three points shy of her personal best of 35, achieved against the Dallas Wings in September of the previous year. Notably, her seven three-pointers matched her career high, previously set against the Washington Mystics in June 2024. “My most I’ve ever made in a game was 12, that was in high school!” Clark remarked about her three-point shooting prowess following the game. “That’s what they gave up tonight, is they were going to let us shoot threes.”
Clark's performance was pivotal in helping the Fever capitalize on the Liberty's defensive strategy. “We made 17 of them, so I think we really took advantage of what they were giving us, and that’s what you have to do when you play really good teams,” she added. In addition to her scoring, Clark also contributed significantly with eight rebounds and nine assists against New York.
The Indiana Fever, who struggled with a 2-3 record in Clark’s absence, improved to 5-5 overall after this victory. The team made a franchise-record 17 three-pointers out of 35 attempts, achieving a remarkable shooting percentage of 48.6%. Alongside Clark, Kelsey Mitchell added 22 points, while Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, and Sydney Colson all contributed to the scoring with double figures.
This victory marked the first time this season that the Fever scored in triple figures, showcasing their offensive capabilities. Meanwhile, the New York Liberty experienced their first defeat of the season, falling short despite a season-high performance of 34 points from Sabrina Ionescu and 24 points from Breanna Stewart. The Liberty had aimed to become only the fourth team in WNBA history to begin a season with ten consecutive victories.
The game began with the Liberty establishing an early 11-point lead. However, Clark seized control in the latter part of the first quarter, converting a three-point play and sinking three consecutive three-pointers to tie the game. Her stellar performance drew praise from Fever head coach Stephanie White, who commented, “Don’t we always expect that kind of game from Caitlin?”
Even NBA superstar LeBron James acknowledged Clark’s remarkable return, welcoming her back with a post on X. The Fever led 53-50 at halftime but faced a challenge as New York started the second half with a 9-0 run. Nevertheless, Indiana regained control, launching a massive 19-0 run in the third quarter. With ten crucial points from Mitchell in the fourth quarter, the Fever sealed their impressive victory.
In summary, Caitlin Clark's return was not only a personal triumph but also a significant boost for the Indiana Fever, as they demonstrated their potential to compete at the highest level in the WNBA.
