Caitlin Clark Excites Fans in Fever's Last Preseason Game Before WNBA Regular Season
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVMay 10, 2024
Caitlin Clark offered a preview of her scoring prowess in the Indiana Fever's first preseason game. On Thursday night, she offered a reminder that she isn't a one-trick pony.
Clark finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists in her team's 83-80 win over the Atlanta Dream.
It wasn't a perfect night for Clark, who shot just 4-of-12 from the field (2-of-9 from three) and finished with six turnovers. There will be some growing pains for the rookie point guard.
But on balance it was a solid overall performance, and more importantly, Indiana came away with a win, led by NaLyssa Smith's 21 points. That had fans feeling pumped up about Clark's overall skill set:
Rhyne Howard (13 points) led the way for Atlanta.
There's no doubt that every last step Clark takes this season will be scrutinized. Scoring the most points in college basketball history, among many other records and achievements, will do that.
But she'll have a pretty good supporting cast around her, too, and she leaned on them Thursday. Center Aliyah Boston was last season's Rookie of the Year. Kelsey Mitchell can fill it up and is a projected starter once she returns from injury. Katie Lou Samuelson was a savvy offseason addition.
Clark will have a far better supporting cast than what Iowa offered her. She won't need to play a scorer-or-bust role in the WNBA—her playmaking skills will be nearly as important as her limitless range and ability to finish around the basket.
She showed as much against Atlanta.