Indiana-Atlanta highlights: How Caitlin Clark, Fever performed in second preseason game

 

Four Indiana Fever players scored in double figures, led by 21 from NaLyssa Smith, and the Fever erased as much as a 15-point deficit as it topped the Atlanta Dream, 83-80, in its second preseason game.

The Fever will open the regular season at the Connecticut Sun on May 14. Indiana’s home opener — also known as the home regular debut of No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark — takes place May 16 vs. the New York Liberty.

Clark had a rough shooting night Thursday against Atlanta but still finished with an impressive stat line: 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. She went just 4-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-9 from 3, but distributed the ball well (she’ll beat herself up about her six turnovers). She led the Fever in rebounding, an impressive feat for the 6-foot guard.

Six Atlanta players scored eight points or more, with Rhyne Howard leading the Dream with 13 points. Atlanta shot lights out in the first quarter, almost 70%, but cooled considerably after that, and in its final possession, could not get a shot off, turning the ball over with 1.9 seconds to play.

What Caitlin Clark said after the game

As usual, Caitlin Clark was her own worst critic.

After Indiana held on for an 83-80 preseason win over the Atlanta Dream, Clark told the media, “I don’t think I was that effective (scoring), honestly.”

The top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft said it with a wry smile, a reference to her 2-of-9 shooting performance from the perimeter.

Clark did quite a lot besides scoring though, racking up eight rebounds and dishing six assists. (She also finished with 12 points, so it’s not like she went scoreless or anywhere close to it.) She said getting a clean look can be tough in the pros because opponents pick her up defensively full-court and are extremely physical with her, especially as she’s coming off screens. It’s an adjustment and one she’s learning how to do better every day.

But before Clark could critique herself anymore, teammate NaLyssa Smith jumped in.

“I’m gonna piggyback and say, she was effective, she was pushing us, getting us open shots, passing ahead,” Smith said. “Everyone’s gonna focus on the scoring, but she does a lot for us: She gets the ball where it needs to be. If you run the floor you better look up, because the ball is coming.”