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INDIANAPOLIS –– It was the last play in Fever practice, and naturally, Caitlin Clark got the shot.
Clark used the screen to get open on the wing, created just enough space between her and the Fever practice squad defenders, then hoisted her one-legged, faded trademark. They’ve gone in at the buzzer in college many times to fiery celebrations. This clanked off the rim. Clark went over and smacked the padded side-wall with both arms, uprighted herself –– and laughed it off.
“They’re all really competitive and that’s what is gonna drive us,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said Sunday. “Our competitive spirit, I mean, we wanna make sure that we’re the hardest-working, most competitive team … we were working on some late-game stuff.
“She didn’t get the shot, she got fouled on (another) shot, so she went to the free-throw line and tied it up for us,” Sides continued. “She’s gonna get those shots and she’s gonna hit ‘em. We’re gonna give her that opportunity.”
Sides was referencing another instance Sunday when Clark got fouled in the corner beyond the arc in the late-game practice scenario. On May 3, in the preseason-opener at the Dallas Wings, Clark got an almost identical fading look in the corner and it came up short. Indiana lost 76-79. To be fair, that day was Clark’s first minutes in the WNBA, albeit the preseason. And the Wings really swallowed up the play defensively. But Sides, as practiced, will grant the rookie chances.
Caitlin Clark prepares for WNBA debut
The Fever start the regular season Tuesday at the Connecticut Sun and will fly out –– charter –– on Monday. Clark embraces this milestone, just like she did opening up about the transition to the WNBA last Thursday, following Indiana’s preseason finale. When asked Sunday what was memorable about her college debut at Iowa, Clark jested nobody was there (during the COVID-19 season). But 13,028 people showed up for her preseason home debut on May 9 inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Tuesday’s season-opener is sold out.
“So, I feel now like getting out there for the first time,” Clark said. “I’m just really excited and it’ll be super special … this is what you kind of worked for and dreamed of and now you get to put your jersey on for like, the first real time and go out there and play.”
“I think more than anything just soak in the moment,” Clark continued. “We’re gonna play on the biggest stage, there’s going to be a lot of people there, it’s going to be loud, but you only play your first WNBA game once. So I think just enjoy it.”
Clark said that her college debut feels like yesterday. She understands this season may go fast too, but she doesn’t intend on wasting any opportunities. The Fever’s season-opener at the Sun will be held at 7:30 p.m. ET in Mohegan Sun Arena and can be watched on ESPN-plus, ESPN2 and Disney-plus.
