
La PolicĂa Nacional intercepta a ultras del LeganĂ©s en Riazor
La PolicĂa Nacional intercepta a ultras del LeganĂ©s en Riazor antes de un partido de alto riesgo.
Caitlin Clark reflects on the Indiana Fever's preseason loss to the Dallas Wings, emphasizing the potential of rookie Raven Johnson. Despite the 95-80 defeat, Clark's performance and Johnson's emerging role highlight positive developments for the team.

Caitlin Clark shares honest take on rookie after Fever loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Thereâs a natural tendency to focus on the scoreboard, especially in a preseason game that didnât go the Indiana Feverâs way. But inside the locker room, the conversation was a little different. For Caitlin Clark, Thursdayâs loss wasnât just about what went wrong. It was also about whatâs starting to come together. That includes rookie guard Raven Johnson.
The Fever fell 95-80 to the Dallas Wings in preseason action, a game that featured flashes of what this roster could become but also the kind of growing pains expected from a team still finding its rhythm. Clark was efficient in her limited run, finishing with 21 points in just 16 minutes before exiting in the third quarter following a collision. The decision to hold her out the rest of the way was precautionary, but it opened the door for Johnson to step into a larger role.
And thatâs where things got interesting.
Johnson didnât light up the box score, but she didnât need to. The rookie finished with three points and five assists in 21 minutes, taking on primary ball-handling duties against a Wings team that applied steady pressure. It wasnât perfect, but it was steady. Composed. Exactly the kind of showing you want from a first-year guard still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the WNBA. That adjustment period is real, and Clark didnât shy away from saying it.
Caitlin Clark shared her thoughts on Raven Johnson's potential and growth following the Fever's preseason loss.
The Indiana Fever lost to the Dallas Wings with a final score of 95-80.
Caitlin Clark scored 21 points in just 16 minutes before leaving the game due to a precautionary decision.
Raven Johnson is expected to step into a larger role as the Fever continue to develop their roster.

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âThe WNBA is a completely different style than what you play in college,â Clark said postgame. âCoach expects us to help younger players, and thatâs what weâre going to do.â
It wasnât framed as criticism. It was perspective. Johnson arrived with a strong rĂ©sumĂ© as a two-time national champion at South Carolina, which played a major role in Indiana selecting her with the No. 10 pick in the 2026 draft. But the transition to the pro level, especially at point guard, comes with a different kind of responsibility.
Clark knows that better than anyone.
Rather than overloading Johnson with technical advice, Clark kept her message direct. Ask questions. Stay curious. Keep learning. It sounds basic, but it reflects how Clark approaches her own development. Even as one of the faces of the league, she made it clear sheâs still figuring things out in real time.
âI still ask questions every single day,â Clark said. âTrying to be that for Raven and the rest of the new people on this team.â
That mentorship piece matters more than it might seem on the surface. The Fever arenât just building around star power. Theyâre trying to establish a system where young players can grow quickly without being overwhelmed. Johnsonâs willingness to engage in that process has already stood out.
âShe asks a lot of really great questions,â Clark added. âAs a point guard, itâs a whole other load to carry.â
For Indiana, this isnât just about one preseason game. Itâs about building depth behind Clark and creating stability at the guard position. Johnsonâs early reps, especially in situations where sheâs forced into a lead role, are part of that long-term equation.
There will be uneven moments. Thatâs expected. But if Thursday showed anything, itâs that the foundation is there. Johnson looks comfortable enough to run the offense in stretches, and with Clark guiding the process, the learning curve could speed up.
The Fever wrap up preseason play Saturday against the Nigeria Womenâs National Team before turning their attention to the regular season.
And if Clarkâs comments are any indication, Johnsonâs development is going to be one of the more important storylines to watch early on.