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Alexa Philippou, ESPN
ARLINGTON, Texas — In front of a sold-out crowd of 7,000 at Texas State Arlington School, 2024 WNBA No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark made her unofficial pro debut Friday night, 79-76. He scored 21 points in a narrow loss to the Fever. She was acquired by the Dallas Wings.
The rookies may have come out to get a glimpse of Clark, but Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale ensured his hometown team moved to the top, finishing with a 7-0 individual run to win the game. He stepped back and sank a 3-point shot. The playing time is 3.0 seconds.
It’s a big day for sports in the Metroplex. In downtown Dallas, the NBA’s Mavericks will host a potential series-clinching first-round game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The NHL’s Stars could do the same if they win in Las Vegas. Many fans gathered in Arlington carrying Clark’s autographs and his No. 22 jersey.
Despite coming from the visiting team, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer drew cheers when he was introduced as part of the Fever’s starting five, along with fellow former No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston.
In the spring of 2023, 35 miles from where Clark exploded into fame with his captivating Final Four run with the Hawkeyes, the rookie sensation made the first two shots of his pro career, both 3-pointers. I made it a success. It was his first shot with the Wings. Fans are still on their feet waiting for their local team to play.
Clark scored 11 of Indiana’s first 19 points and finished the first half with 16 points, highlighted by a step-back 3-pointer to veteran Natasha Howard. She was held scoreless in the third quarter and sat on the bench for most of her frame after committing her third and fourth fouls in quick succession.
When Clark returned to the game in the fourth, he made his fifth 3-pointer of the night and had an assist on a Boston pick-and-roll. Her “Welcome to the WNBA” moment came when the game was tied with less than 30 seconds remaining. Howard blocked her layup attempt, but her final shot at the buzzer in an attempt to tie the game fell short.
Clark had 21 points (6-of-15 shooting, 5-of-13 from 3-point range), three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and five turnovers.
Rookies Jaelyn Brown (21 points) and Ogunbouyere (19 points) paced the Wings.
The Fever will be back in the postseason for the first time since 2016, with Clark and the rest of their young core, including Boston and 2022 No. 2 pick Narissa Smith, ahead of the final season of franchise and league great Tamika Catchings. I hope that I can qualify. retirement.
Indiana will make final preparations on Thursday against the Atlanta Dream in Indianapolis before playing the regular season opener against the Connecticut Sun on May 14th.
