Caitlin Clark’s star power is undeniably shining bright in the WNBA. After just one home exhibition game, it is clear that she is destined for greatness in the league.
The Indiana Fever welcomed their newest player, 22-year-old Clark, with open arms as she donned the team’s jersey for the first time in front of their hometown fans. The game took place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Fever faced off against the Atlanta Dream. In an intense matchup, the Fever emerged victorious with a final score of 83-80.
It’s truly remarkable that despite the game being insignificant in terms of points or standings, a staggering 13,028 fans turned up to witness Clark and her teammates in action. This figure is almost three times the average attendance of 4,067 per game during the 2023 regular season for the Fever.
Just so you know, the league average was 6,615 fans.
Clark expressed his delight at the energetic and enthusiastic atmosphere created by the large crowd. “I found them to be quite lively and passionate,” he shared. “It was truly enjoyable to witness.”
CAITLIN CLARK ON THE COURT
Clark firmly believes that the 13K is not a mere coincidence or a temporary occurrence. In his view, they are here to stay.
“This preseason game on a Thursday night has drawn a crowd of 13,000 people. It’s a clear indication of the support we can expect throughout the season, and it’s bound to boost our performance.”
In terms of her performance on the court, Clark didn’t have her usual scoring outburst like she did during the season at Iowa, where she averaged 32 points per game. However, she still had a strong showing in her first game, despite struggling with her shooting. She managed to contribute 12 points, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc. Additionally, she made a significant impact in other areas of the game, pulling down 8 rebounds and distributing 6 assists.
Caitlin expressed her modesty when she told reporters after the game, “I don’t think I was that effective, honestly. However, I believe I did a great job of passing the ball and finding my teammates.”
“I believe I was able to penetrate into the paint, and while I would have preferred to make a few more three-point shots, sometimes that’s just how it goes.”
The preseason games have come to an end, and Clark’s Fever is ready to kick off the season against the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun on Tuesday.
