Caitlin Clark wasted no time making a strong impression in her WNBA debut as the Indiana Fever faced the Dallas Wings in the preseason. One particular moment has caught the attention of social media.
In the second quarter, Clark executed a step-back hesitation three-point shot, creating one of the game's highlights. Although it was a preseason game, the energy felt like a regular season match due to Clark's professional debut.
Here’s a look at the moment that grabbed everyone's attention.
Caitlin Clark on Competing in the WNBA: ‘You Can’t Relax for a Second’
Ultimately, Clark’s preseason debut ended in disappointment as Arike Ogunbowale hit a game-winning step-back three with three seconds left. Fortunately for the Fever, this outcome will not affect the team's standings. Clark reflected on her initial impressions of the contrast between college basketball and the WNBA.
NOT HER FIRST TIME. WON'T BE HER LAST. https://t.co/SINX2gAt6x pic.twitter.com/D9WCDCIyMi
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) May 4, 2024
“I believe the most crucial thing is that when you're on the court with this much talent, you can't let your guard down for even a moment,” Clark expressed in a May 3, 2024 press conference. “You relax for one second and they’re going to beat you on a screen. They’re going to beat you on a whatever [the play] is. I think that’s the biggest thing is like you cannot relax in this league for one second.
“So, I think getting used to that, just playing hard every single second,” Clark continued. “But yeah, I think overall we did a really good job, played everybody, executed. I thought we could have done a little bit better job, slowed it down a little bit in the second half and got into our sets a little better. But overall, we ran the floor really, really well.”
Caitlin Clark on Not Playing Every Minute for the Indiana Fever: ‘It’s Probably Going to be Nice’
Despite the loss, it was quite the debut for Clark. The top pick had a standout performance with 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals against the Wings. Clark still has room for improvement after committing 5 turnovers in her first WNBA game.
One aspect that differs for Clark in the WNBA is that she will be subbed out of the game. Clark was known for playing most of the minutes at Iowa, but the star admitted she is looking forward to getting some rest during games.
“I honestly think it will probably be a good thing,” Clark said about being substituted during WNBA games. “I believe I can exert a lot more effort when I’m in the game, and at Iowa, I had to find moments within the game to like reset and take a break. Whether that was on offense or defense. So, we have so much talent on our roster.
“I don’t need to play 40 minutes. And I think that’s going to allow me when I’m in the game to produce an even better product and play even harder when I’m in,” Clark added. “And I think that’ll still be a learning thing for me, like you don’t have to dribble and create everything for yourself. Like, use screens, use your teammates. So, I think that’ll be an adjustment over the course of the first couple weeks and first couple months for myself.”
