INDIANAPOLIS — So, be honest: How did you think Caitlin Clark would play heading into her first game back after a three-week absence?
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White knew Clark’s adrenaline would be high to open the game. It was, as Clark fired the first of her 14 3-point attempts on Indiana’s first offensive possession. But did White anticipate a 25-point first half from her superstar guard?
“No,” she said.
Fever guard Lexie Hull said getting Clark back felt “a little bit like Christmas morning.” But did Hull, speaking before the game, want to put a number on Clark’s potential output? Another no. Hull only predicted that Clark would provide a jolt inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark, herself, said White told her to have grace with herself as she returned from a left quadriceps strain that kept her out since May 24. Earlier this week, Clark wondered if there would be rust to shake off after missing five games.
But perhaps, no one should have been surprised by what occurred on Saturday afternoon in Indiana’s 102-88 win over the previously undefeated New York Liberty. Clark finished with 32 points, three shy of her career-high. She hit seven 3-pointers, tying a career-high, with all of them coming from beyond 25-feet. She had nine assists, finding teammates on…
