Caitlin Clark scores 7 points in Fever's preseason opener vs. Liberty, playing 17 minutes in 109-91 win

Caitlin Clark returned to a WNBA court for the first time since last July for the Indiana Fever’s preseason opener versus the New York Liberty on Saturday. She scored seven points in Indiana’s 109-91 victory.

Clark quickly established herself, scoring the game’s first basket on a floater in the lane. Two possessions later, she drilled a long 3-pointer from 29 feet.

The Fever led 32-24 after the opening 10 minutes, but quickly lost that advantage when the Liberty scored 10 unanswered points to begin the second quarter — all of them from Breanna Stewart.

New York went on top 39-34 after a layup by Han Xu, returning to the WNBA after playing last season in Australia. However, Indiana rallied to finish the first half with a 53-48 lead, powered by Kelsey Mitchell scoring 10 straight points.

Indiana maintained a 74-68 lead going into the fourth quarter, then went on a 21-4 surge to put the game out of reach. Free-agent addition Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored nine points for the Fever during the run.

After winning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, Clark was limited to 13 games last season due to quad, groin and ankle injuries. As the Fever opened training camp last week, head coach Stephanie White said that the star guard would likely see fewer practice reps and that approach presumably translated to preseason games as well.

Clark played 17 minutes on Saturday, all in the first half.

Mitchell and Walker-Kimbrough led the Fever with 18 points. Sophie Cunningham was the third Indiana player in double figures, tallying 13 points and shooting 3-for-6 on 3-pointers.