Caitlin Clark received a hero's welcome from enthusiastic fans as she made her home debut for the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the New York Liberty Thursday.

The atmosphere was electric, getting underway wirth a hype video of Clark played on the jumbotron, with the crowd eagerly anticipating her first big moment in Indianapolis. shown in a video post on X, formerly Twitter, by James Boyd of The Athletic.

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, faced high expectations coming into the game.

The crowd's anticipation was palpable, especially during Clark's attempts from beyond the arc. By the end of the first quarter, she was 1-of-4 from the field and 0-of-2 from three-point range. The Fever fans, who had not shown up in such numbers last season, were clearly there to see Clark in action. When Clark finally scored her first points with a floater at the 8:35 mark in the first quarter of the game, the arena erupted in cheers.

However, she has struggled with her three-pointers, missing her first four attempts in the first two quarters, as reported by Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant, showing visible frustration.

Despite the slow start, the Fever only trailed 25-16 at the end of the first quarter. Clark had three assists, three rebounds and three turnovers by this point. Her first assist of the season was to Katie Lou Samuelson.

At the half, the Fever trail the Liberty 48 – 31.

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Caitlin Clark’s debut recap

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22)
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Clark’s WNBA regular-season debut against the Connecticut Sun Tuesday was a mix of highs and lows. She scored a team-high 20 points, showcasing the scoring prowess that made her a standout at Iowa. However, she also committed 10 turnovers, highlighting the adjustments she needs to make at the professional level. The Fever lost to the Sun 92-71.

Clark missed her first three shots and went scoreless in the first quarter of her debut. She managed to score seven points by halftime but also had five turnovers. Her first points came from a layup created by a steal. However, intense defense from Sun forward Alyssa Thomas, who recorded a triple-double, made it a challenging game for Clark.

Despite the setbacks, Clark’s ability to score and distribute the ball was evident. She hit her first three-pointer in the second quarter, demonstrating her deep-range shooting skills. However, her 10 turnovers were a record for a player’s first game in the WNBA, reflecting the need for adjustment to the league’s pace and physicality.

The Fever, with a new roster, struggled offensively, recording 18 turnovers and shooting 40% from the field. They kept the game close for much of the time but couldn't overcome the turnovers. DeWanna Bonner’s 20 points for the Sun and her milestone move into fifth place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list further highlighted the Fever’s challenges.

Clark’s preseason performances provided a glimpse of her potential, scoring 21 points against the Dallas Wings on May 6 and 12 points with eight rebounds and six assists against the Atlanta Dream on May 9.