Caitlin Clark thought the Fever were close at times.
Before her first basketball game in New York City, Clark reflected on how a 36-point loss to the Liberty on Thursday contained moments where it felt like they were close and others where it was clear that wouldn’t be enough — “especially with their effort early in the game when there’s moments when you shouldn’t be tired,” she said
And then Clark went out and pieced together the best quarter of her career to start the Fever’s rematch against the Liberty on Saturday.
Clark notched 10 points and three assists in the opening frame, helping keep the Fever in the game with a pair of 3-pointers as the Liberty built an early double-digit lead during their home opener at Barclays Center.
She started by driving and scoring on Betnijah Laney-Hamilton — who was her primary defender earlier this week at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and collected a plus-43 — on the Fever’s second possession, and she threaded a pass to NaLyssa Smith on the next possession.
Her 3-pointer with just over six minutes left in the quarter gave the Fever a one-point lead, too.
Clark helped spark Indiana’s transition offense, telling ESPN in between quarters that she thinks it was “beneficial” to their flow up and down the court.
She added another 3 later in the quarter, curling around the arc and away from Laney to create a shooting window that was — temporarily — open.
That’s all Clark needed.
Clark’s WNBA career had started with two losses, with two games where she flashed the potential that resulted in her being selected No. 1 overall but also experienced some growing pains.
She turned the ball over 10 times. She limited that to three against the Liberty on Thursday, but she only finished with two made shots and nine points.
At least in the first quarter Thursday, that changed.
She added another 3 early in the second to give her 13 points.
And it all resulted in a strong start to her NYC basketball debut.
“Great environment for women’s basketball,” Clark told ESPN about Barclays Center in between quarters. “It’s awesome.”