Caitlin Clark scores 9 points in home debut as Fever lose - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Guard Caitlin Clark took to the newly designed floor for the Indiana Fever on Thursday along with three other WNBA No. 1 draft picks, two past MVPs and the player she watched closely throughout high school. In the Fever's home opener, a sellout crowd of 17,274 showed up for Clark's official introduction to Indianapolis fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

But the New York Liberty, one of two franchises dubbed superteams last season (along with Las Vegas), did their part to spoil the party, beating the Fever 102-66.

«We've got to get to a level of toughness,» Indiana coach Christie Sides said. «When things are going south on us, we're not stopping the bleeding.»

Clark finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, going 2-of-8 from the field. After 10 turnovers in Indiana's season-opening loss at Connecticut on Tuesday, Clark had three against the Liberty.

Thursday was the first time since January 2021 in her freshman season at Iowa that Clark — the all-time Division I scoring leader — was held to single digits. She had eight points against Northwestern then, but she's now facing the best players in the world.

Clark, who had 20 points against the Sun, said the good thing about the WNBA's busy schedule is that there's no time to sulk. The Fever next travel to New York to face the Liberty again Saturday.

«When you're in this league, there's 12 teams — everybody's good across the board,» Clark said before the game. «We've got a young group. But as long as we're learning and continuing to get better, that's what's going to be positive for us.»

Clark, who wasn't brought to the postgame news conference after the loss, pointed to some things she thinks are obvious weaknesses for her as she gets her feet wet in the