In Caitlin Clark’s first game back from injury for the Indiana Fever, she delivered an impressive performance that helped hand the New York Liberty their first loss of the season.
Clark, who was sidelined for five games due to a quad strain, shone with 32 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, tying her career high in the 102-88 victory. This marks Clark’s fifth career game with 30 or more points. Kelsey Mitchell, a key player in the Fever’s offense, also delivered an impressive performance in the crucial win against the Liberty, scoring 22 points. Lexie Hull, a rising star in the team, added 14 points to the team’s success.
Despite the loss, Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty in scoring with 34 points, while Breanna Stewart contributed 24 points. However, their efforts fell short. The Liberty, which was previously on a nine-game winning streak, unfortunately saw it come to an end at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Caitlin Clark highlights
Final score: Fever 102, Liberty 88
The Indiana Fever defeated the New York Liberty, giving them their first loss of the season with a score of 102-88.
End of third quarter score: Fever 80, Liberty 71
The Indiana Fever maintain an 80-71 lead over the New York Liberty as they enter the fourth quarter. Caitlin Clark is having an outstanding game, contributing 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. For the Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu is the leading scorer with 28 points.
Indiana goes on a 19-0 run to extend the lead
The Indiana Fever has taken a commanding 72-59 lead after a 17-0 run against the New York Liberty. Caitlin Clark has dazzled for the Fever with 32 points with 3:28 left in the third quarter.
End of second quarter score: Fever 53, Liberty 50
The Indiana Fever have taken a 53-50 lead into halftime after an impressive performance by Caitlin Clark. Clark had her best first-half performance of her WNBA career, scoring 25 points in the first half, including six three-pointers.
Clark with 20 points halfway through the 2Q
Caitlin Clark has contributed 20 of the team’s 41 points in her first game back after a quad strain that had sidelined her for 18 days and caused her to miss five games.
Caitlin Clark connects on back-to-back threes from deep
Caitlin Clark appeared to be back in form after hitting consecutive three-pointers in the first quarter, giving Indiana the much-needed boost to reduce the Liberty’s lead to two points.
End of first quarter score: Liberty 26, Fever 24
The New York Liberty have taken a slim early lead of 26-24 against the Indiana Fever. Sabrina Ionescu is leading the Liberty in scoring with seven points, while Nyara Sabally has contributed six points. The Fever’s Caitlin Clark is back on the court after spending 19 days recovering from an injury and has recorded 14 points in the first quarter.
What time is Fever vs. Liberty?
The WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty — which will count in both the regular season standings and in the Commissioner’s Cup — is set for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
How to watch Fever vs. Liberty WNBA game: TV, stream
Time: 3 p.m. ET/ Noon PT
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN+
Caitlin Clark injury update: Will Fever star play today?
Yes. The Fever announced Clark will play in Indiana’s matchup against the New York Liberty following a five-game absence due to a left quad injury.
Clark is sure she suffered the left quad strain during the Fever’s loss to the Liberty on May 24 — where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists — but she can’t pinpoint a specific play that caused her injury. She only knows that it happened early on in the contest.
“Obviously, adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle,” Clark said on Thursday. “And after the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see. But, you know, those types of things don’t lie.”
USA TODAY Sports’ Cydney Henderson has more on Caitlin Clark’s recent injury and return.
Indiana Fevers starting lineup
The starting lineup for the Indiana Fever against the New York Liberty consists of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, and Aliyah Boston.
New York Liberty starting lineup
The starting lineup for the New York Liberty against the Indiana Fever consists of Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, Kennedy Burke, Breanna Steward and Nyara Sabally.