Caitlin Clark scores 9 points in home debut, Indiana Fever fall to 0-2 after losing to Liberty
Clark and Fever drop home opener
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever lost their home opener and fell to 0-2 with Thursday’s 102-66 defeat to the New York Liberty. Gainbridge Fieldhouse’s sellout crowd left disappointed after hoping to see Clark put on a show. The rookie finished with 9 points on 2-of-8 shooting to go with 6 assists, but she also picked up 5 fouls.
The Fever lost their season opener 92-71 to the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday. The Liberty opened with an 85-80 win over the Washington Mystics.
The Liberty and Fever play again in New York on Saturday.
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Scenes from a Liberty takeover
The Liberty controlled the game against the Fever from the start. Here’s some evidence.
Breanna Stewart dominated
Breanna Stewart has loved playing the Fever over the past two seasons. She scored 31 points and had 10 rebounds in Thursday’s blowout win. Last year, she averaged 29 points and 8 rebounds in four games against Indiana. “In general, I just wanted to come out more aggressive … and we’ll see the adjustments they make come Saturday and take whatever they give us.”
How the Liberty’s defense held Clark
The Liberty held Caitlin Clark to only 9 points on Thursday night, playing with an added sense of urgency after their close win over the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.
“I thought we executed our scout really well,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said. “Caitlin demands so much respect out there and attention, and that’s what we did. And we have Betnijah Laney. What more could you ask? One of the best defenders in this league, if not these best. She made it tough on her now we just have to repeat it again.”
What we learned from watching Clark in Game 2
What was perhaps most surprising from the Fever’s opening game was how uncomfortable Clark looked with the ball in her hands. Although her scoring has drawn the most attention since her collegiate days, Clark has always been an outstanding floor general and can get her teammates going even as her individual offense ebbs and flows.
That creative ability was stunted against a Connecticut Sun defense designed to take away her passing. She was reckless with her distribution, resulting in a record 10 turnovers in her first game. Her command of the offense changed significantly against the Liberty.
New York didn’t bring two to the ball as often, and Clark was able to get into the teeth of defense for drive-and-kicks. She hit Boston rolling to the basket and also fed her center for post-ups in the paint.
There were still a few Clark passes that were too hot to handle, but overall, the ratio of six assists to three turnovers is more in line with how Clark should be running the show.
Caitlin Clark struggles in home opener as Fever walloped by Breanna Stewart, Liberty