Caitlin Clark Returns to the Court in Indiana Fever Preseason Opener

Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s marquee guard, made her first professional appearance in nine months during a preseason contest on Saturday. A season-ending injury in July halted her second WNBA season, limiting her to 13 games before she missed the remainder of the year. In the interim, Clark represented USA Basketball in a World Cup qualifying tournament, where she earned Most Valuable Player honors. She described the opportunity to lace up again as something she “doesn’t take for granted.”

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• Caitlin Clark – Fever guard, returning from injury.

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• Stephanie White – Fever head coach, also Clark’s coach on the USA team.

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• Aliyah Boston – Out with a lower-leg injury.

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• Lexie Hull – Managing a hamstring issue.

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• Ty Harris – Absent due to a knee injury.

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• Damiris Dantas – Not yet on the roster.

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• New York Liberty players – Rebecca Allen, Marine Fauthoux, and Satou Sabally were unavailable; Sabally was the Liberty’s biggest offseason acquisition.

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The Fever defeated the New York Liberty 109-91. Clark entered the starting lineup, received a warm ovation, and scored the opening basket. She added a signature step-back three-pointer early in the game before missing her final eight attempts. In just under 17 minutes, she recorded seven points, four assists, and three rebounds. The Fever’s bench featured several absent players, while the Liberty’s roster was similarly depleted by injuries and overseas commitments.

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Clark said her shot felt “really good” and that she was “missing long, which is what you want to see,” emphasizing a positive feeling about her body’s speed and movement. Coach White noted a noticeable change in Clark’s demeanor, observing that she played “with joy” and carried herself differently in practice. White added that both Boston and Hull would have been available for a regular-season game, and she described Clark as “itchy and antsy before training camp started.”

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• “Honestly, my shot felt really good and I was missing long, which is what you want to see,” — Caitlin Clark, Fever guard

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• “I think anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes you don’t take that for granted, especially after coming off last year when I didn’t get to do that very much,” — Caitlin Clark, Fever guard

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• “I think that’s the thing, watching her play with joy,” — Stephanie White, Fever head coach

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• “In practice her energy is different, she’s carrying herself in a different way.” — Stephanie White, Fever head coach

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Clark’s return signals a potential boost to the Fever’s offensive firepower heading into the regular season. Her early performance, despite limited minutes, suggests she can contribute both scoring and playmaking while regaining confidence after a prolonged rehab. The health status of Boston, Hull, and other key players will shape the Fever’s rotation, while the Liberty’s offseason acquisitions remain in flux.

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The Fever will evaluate Clark’s minutes and shooting rhythm as they approach the regular season, while monitoring the recovery progress of Boston and Hull. Upcoming preseason matchups will further test the team’s depth before the official schedule begins.

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Sources do not provide detailed timelines for Boston’s and Hull’s recoveries, nor do they specify when Liberty players such as Leonie Fiebich, Raquel Carrera, Pauline Astier, and Ugonne Onyiah will join the roster after overseas commitments. These gaps leave uncertainty about full-team availability for the season’s start.

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