Caitlin Clark's return to the Indiana Fever lineup after missing five games due to a lower leg injury was nothing short of spectacular, leading the team to a resounding 102-88 victory over the previously undefeated New York Liberty. The sold-out home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse witnessed Clark's "best and most complete performance of the 2025 season," as she lit up the scoreboard with 32 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds. Her performance immediately sparked reactions throughout the basketball world, with former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III delivering a particularly enthusiastic message.
Griffin didn't hold back in his praise for the second-year guard, declaring, "Caitlin Clark is the greatest women's 3-point shooter ever, and it's only her 2nd year in the WNBA.” He further amplified his sentiment with a bold tweet: "Caitlin Clark just went CRAZY on the best team in the WNBA. First game back, 7 threes, 32 points, 9 assists, 8 rebs and a win over the top-ranked New York Liberty to give them their first loss of the season. There is NO DOUBT who the most exciting player in the WNBA is."
Clark's impact was undeniable. She tied a career-high with seven made three-pointers, showcasing her offensive prowess and ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc. Her performance wasn't just about scoring; she contributed in multiple facets of the game, facilitating the offense with 9 assists and controlling the boards with 8 rebounds. The Fever's offense was firing on all cylinders, marking their first game of the season scoring over 100 points.
The game itself was a tale of two halves. While the first half was closely contested, with Indiana holding a narrow 53-50 lead, the Fever took control in the second half, outscoring the Liberty in both the third and fourth quarters. The team's balanced attack was also a key factor, with four other players – Kelsey Mitchell (22 points), Lexie Hull (14 points), Sydney Colson (10 points), and Aliyah Boston (10 points) – reaching double figures.
Despite a strong performance from Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 34 points and dished out four assists for the Liberty, the Fever's collective effort and Clark's brilliance proved too much to overcome. The loss marked the first of the season for the Liberty, while the Fever improved to a 5-5 record.
Clark herself remained grounded despite the hype surrounding her return, stating in a post-game interview, "I feel good. I thought my rotations were good. I feel strong. I felt good. I thought we played a good game. I thought there was still a lot we could improve on." This highlights her focus on continuous improvement and team success.
The Fever will look to build on this momentum as they host the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, while the Liberty will aim to bounce back against the Atlanta Dream, also on Tuesday.
