WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark was cheered on by more than 13,000 spectators as she made her first home appearance for the Indiana Fever in a preseason game.
The Fever triumphed 83-80 over the Atlanta Dream, with Clark – considered one of the greatest college players of all time after a decorated career with the University of Iowa – posting 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes on the court.
A late-arriving but louder-than-usual crowd in Indianapolis roared during Clark’s formal introduction to Fever fans and again when she made her first basket, a layup with 7:00 left in the first quarter.
The cheers grew when she completed a three-point play a few minutes later and reached a crescendo when she finally made a long three-pointer late in the third quarter.
“It was a lot of fun, I thought they were loud, I thought they were interested. It was fun to see,” Clark said after his home debut.
“It’s a preseason game on a Thursday night (local time) and there are 13,000 people here.
“I think it shows you what it’s going to look like for us all season. It’s going to help us.”
The crowd certainly made a difference as Clark helped the Fever rally from a double-digit deficit following last week’s preseason opening loss at Dallas.
Officially, attendance totaled 13,028, nearly three times higher than Indiana’s average of just over 4,000 per game for its 20 regular-season home games in 2023.
For Clark, the transition was quick after playing college basketball a month ago.
Meanwhile, curiosity surrounding Clark is causing some opponents to move games to larger venues to allow for ticket sales and a team that hasn’t made the play-offs since 2016 will now see 36 of its 40 regular season matches on national television.
“For me, that’s the best part,” Clark said.
“You have to go out and compete every night and if one night isn’t good for us, you have the opportunity to come back a few days later and respond.
“I think this group will be ready (for the regular season) and everyone is excited.”
The Fever open the regular season against the Connecticut Sun in Montville on Wednesday (AEST).
P.A.
