In an electrifying preseason debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana Fever rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Caitlin Clark drew a record-breaking crowd of over 13,000 fans to witness her first home game with the team. The atmosphere was electric as Clark made her entrance onto the court, with attendance nearly three times larger than Indiana's average home attendance in 2023. Despite facing physical defense and double-teams, Clark finished her debut with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The historic turnout was a testament to the excitement surrounding Clark's arrival in the WNBA. The Iowa Hawkeyes standout had an impressive NCAA career and is now at the forefront of a new wave of interest in women's basketball. In her first game, she showed glimpses of her potential, despite a challenging shooting night.
The Fever faced off against the Atlanta Dream in their preseason matchup. The team came back from a 15-point deficit in the second quarter to take the lead and never looked back. NaLyssa Smith led Indiana with 21 points and six rebounds, while Clark's teammates struggled to convert her passes into points.
The energy in the arena was palpable as fans cheered for every basket made by their new star player. The Fever will begin their WNBA season on Tuesday against the Connecticut Sun before hosting their home opener against the New York Liberty on May 16, where another packed crowd is expected.
Despite Clark's impressive debut and the record-breaking attendance, it's important to note that preseason games do not always indicate future performance. However, this historic night marked an exciting start for both Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
