Would it have happened any other way?
Caitlin Clark, playing in her first WNBA preseason game in an Indiana Fever uniform, nailed a deep 3-pointer for her first bucket as a professional.
Shortly after she recorded a defensive rebound, Clark knocked down a 28-foot trey with 9:12 left in the first quarter as she sank her first attempt from the floor.
It was part of a night in which she scored a team-high 21 points in a 79-76 loss to the Dallas Wings in front of a sellout crowd of 6,521 at College Park Center in Dallas.
She missed a game-tying bucket from the corner at the final horn in the fourth quarter, but Clark made a strong first impression with the Fever.
“My biggest goal coming into tonight was to continue to be myself, play aggressive,” Clark said after the game, according to the Associated Press. “I thought that’s what I did. I think there’s a lot to be proud of.
“The crowd was great all night. That’s what you expect with a sellout. Those are going to be the same for the crowds all year long. So whether they’re cheering for you or cheering against you, you’d better get used to it.”
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever shoots a three point basket against the Dallas Wings during the first quarter in the preseason game at College Park Center on May 03, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Getty Images© Provided by New York Post
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con© Provided by New York Post
She led all scorers — from both the Fever and the Wings — with 16 points in the first half.
She said it made all the difference to hit her first attempt of the night.
“I was able to get a pretty clean look for my first shot,” she said. “It’s always nice to see your first shot go in when you’re a shooter,” she said.
For the game, Clark went 6 of 15 from the field and 5-for-13 from 3-point land, adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
In limited minutes in the second half — 28 overall for the game — she scored five points.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives against Jacy Sheldon #4 of the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on May 03, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Provided by New York Post
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes the ball as Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) defends during the first quarter at College Park Center. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con© Provided by New York Post
She showed off her shooting range and her ball skills, creating a number of highlight-reel-worthy plays in what the Fever hope is a preview of what is to come in her rookie season.
Her teammate, Aliyah Boston, last year’s WNBA Rookie of the Year, said she’s excited to see all the increased eye balls on the sport this season.
“This is what women’s basketball has deserved for quite some time now,” Boston said. “It’s better late than never. I’m really excited for what’s to come for this league.”
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