Arlington, TX—–In front of a packed house at UT Arlington’s College Park Center, WNBA’s top draft pick Caitlin Clark made her unofficial professional debut, scoring 21 points in the Fever’s close 79-76 loss to the Dallas Wings.
Clark, known as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, showcased her scoring ability with 16 points in the first half, including her patent step back 3-pointer against veteran Natasha Howard. Despite a scoreless third quarter due to foul trouble, Clark’s performance was noteworthy, tallying 21 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals, albeit with 5 turnovers.
While eyes were on Clark, Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale stole the show with a clutch performance, securing the win for the Wings. The game was part of a vibrant sports day in the Metroplex, with basketball and hockey playoff action drawing fans to Arlington.
Despite being on the visiting team, Clark received a warm welcome from the crowd, emphasizing the excitement surrounding her debut. Both teams delivered a thrilling game, reflecting Clark’s sentiment about the upcoming WNBA season.
Clark’s early success, including sinking her first two shot attempts, bodes well for her transition to the professional level. However, she and her coach acknowledge the learning curve ahead, particularly adapting to the WNBA’s physicality and high-level competition.
While Clark’s performance was notable, the Wings’ strong defensive effort in the second half limited her impact. Nonetheless, viewers were treated to standout performances from other players like Jaelyn Brown and Ogunbowale.
“There’s a lot of good to take away from it. At the same time, it’s preseason game, so don’t get too disappointed by it, Clark said. Just go back and watch the film, learn from it, and get ready for our next one.”
Looking ahead, the Fever are banking on Clark and their young core to elevate the team, aiming for their first postseason appearance since 2016. Their final preseason game against the Atlanta Dream precedes their regular season opener against the Connecticut Sun on May 14.
