Caitlin Clark 'felt good' despite lingering back issue in official return to court - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark admitted to being a bit anxious before playing in her first regular-season WNBA game since July 15. Injuries limited her to just 13 games last season, and here she was, stepping back onto the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, bathed in an overhead spotlight as the crowd strained their vocal cords.

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick, Rookie of the Year and two-time all-star had officially returned. She finished with 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds. The 3-point shot was off, though, Saturday as she went 2 for 9 from behind the arc.

«I feel good,» Clark said after the Fever fell 107-104 to the Dallas Wings. «Started off a little slow, I think just the anxiety of the first game, trying to work through that. But overall, I felt good, felt fast out there. Felt like I was literally a couple buckets away from putting together a really, really good game and helping us win.»

Clark didn't always feel great as she left the bench area twice to work with medical staff away from the playing surface. She explained that she needed to get her «back adjusted,» but returned to finish the game both times. «It gets out of line pretty quickly,» Clark said. «So just that, just getting my back put back in place a little bit. But other than that, feel great.»

Fever coach Stephanie White added that it's «part of maintaining the body.»

«She has adjusted her body,» White said. «When we're all really young, we don't learn proper mechanics and then it doesn't get exposed until something happens.… This is going to be an ongoing thing. Not just her. We've had multiple players who've gone back… and get adjusted and make sure that the body's working. Hip alignment gets off. Rib alignment gets off and it's part of being a