Caitlin Clark is always worth the admission money.
However, even the WNBA superstar was left stunned after an 8,000 mile round trip to see her in action.
3
The reigning Rookie of the Year returned to action in style to help Indiana Fever inflict a first defeat of the season on the defending champion New York Liberty.
Fortunately for most the 17,274 fans in attendance Clark had shaken off the left quad strain that had kept her sidelined to put on a show.
After five games on the sidelines it was a clinic from Clark, and it wasn’t just her teammates who were delighted.
One group of five fans had made the trip from Hong Kong to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in the hope of seeing the Fever’s star attraction.
In 31 minutes, Clark had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to dazzle in a 102-88 victory over Sabrina Ionescu’s Liberty who had been 9-0 to start the season.
It’s the third time in her career that the former Hawkeye as racked up at least 30 points to go with at least five rebounds and five assists.
The 23-year-old – who has been watching on as the Indiana Pacers have duked it out with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.
Fever had won just two of the five games missed by Clark, but victory took them back to .500 as Clark made another slice of her own history.
She poured in seven three-pointers – tying her career high – and per ESPN was part of a Fever franchise record of 17 successful three-pointers from 35 attempts.
Not everyone was impressed despite yet another career night, as Clark’s reaction to her teammates during one play caught the eye of some observers.
2025 Season So Far
Caitlin Clark in numbers
Minutes – 34.2
Points – 21.6
Rebounds – 6.4
Assists – 9.2
3-point shooting – 18/49 (36.7%)
3
3
Having made six from eight beyond the arc, Clark put up a ninth three-point attempt that hit the rim and bounced out.
Rather than get the ball back, Clark watched on as Natasha Howard took the two-point lay-up on offer, but while waiting Clark held her arms out in exasperation.
It was a reaction that caused one social media user to take to X, formerly known as Twitter, and claim that such behaviour has been prevalent since her college days at Iowa and Clark needs to work on her body language.
Clark was red hot, and the post, which has been viewed more than 3m on the platforms, drew a mixed reaction.
“I’m a fan of hers but she really be mad when her teammates take shots sometimes lol it’s wild,” one user posted in response.
“Saw Mike do it Saw Kobe do it It takes a certain player……. Now if anyone in this comment section does it, I understand. But not talent of her caliber …. She has the right to be disgusted, she earned it” another offered.
Clark was red hot, and give she had only missed twice to that point will have felt being on a heater she could have delivered another triple.
The post match reaction was on a victory over the reigning champions, and trip made by fans travelling over from Hong Kong.
“No way!” Clark said in her postgame media conference when told.
“I wish I could have met them. If you know them, tell them thank you for coming. That’s incredible,” she added, when talking to the reporter who informed her.
With the WNBA continuing to expand it’s reach, TV numbers and attendance figures have hit an all-time high and it now appears the reach is bringing in a global audience.
“Maybe we’ll head to Hong Kong after the season,” Clark continued.
“I certainly hope to go to Hong Kong one day. It’s incredible to see the type of reach that we can have and how much people love basketball all across the globe.
“That’s really cool.”
The NBA has been playing international games for x years, playing regular season matchups in Paris and London as well as preseason action in Abu Dhabi.
NBA Europe have grand plans for their own international reach, while international exposure is likely to form a big part of the WNBA’s upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement talks.
Clark and the Fever are back in action on Tuesday night when they face the Connecticut Suns at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.