Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had one other encounter on Saturday within the WNBA opener for the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, nevertheless it was Clark who would get the final chortle.
Clark’s flagrant foul on Reese as she tried to go up for a shot will create some speaking factors on-line, however the actual story is not a foul that Clark shrugged off as a standard basketball play.
It is the best way the Fever dominated a workforce many anticipate to contend for a playoff spot in 2025, besting Chicago by 35 factors (93-58).
Oddsmakers have been excessive on the Fever coming into the season. Clark is the betting favourite to be WNBA MVP, in response to ESPN . Indiana is among the many high contenders for the league championship after an energetic offseason, plus the continued growth of Clark and Aliyah Boston.
The previous two No. 1 general draft picks dominated. But, Clark stole the present together with her third profession triple-double, scoring 20 factors on 6-of-13 taking pictures, together with a 4-of-8 effort from three-point vary, on high of 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
The WNBA famous the historic nature of her triple-double.
Clark wasn’t simply hitting from deep, although. She did join on a first-half buzzer-beater, however her playmaking was additionally on full show along with 4 blocks and two steals.
Boston additionally had a double-double with 19 factors and 13 rebounds. She managed 5 blocks too. Indiana had 10 complete, whereas limiting the Sky to simply 29.1 p.c taking pictures from the sector.
Indiana’s offense was already elite. But when the Fever can play as properly defensively as they did on Saturday, the remainder of the league must be nervous.
It was only one recreation, nevertheless it’s clear that Clark has taken a step ahead. She seems extra snug and took higher care of the ball, which was her one weak point in 2024.
Clark will not flip the ball over greater than 5 occasions per recreation this season. That is simply not going to occur. She confirmed as soon as once more that she’s the very best playmaker within the WNBA.
The second-year star from Iowa seemed like an MVP candidate on Saturday. Identical to the Fever seemed like a real WNBA title contender.
