Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.
tRY IT NOWINDIANAPOLIS — Coach Stephanie White offered some advice to Caitlin Clark ahead of the Fever star’s return Saturday after an injury sidelined her for three weeks.
“Give yourself grace,” she said. “It might take some time to find your groove.”
White must’ve forgotten who she was talking to.
Saturday might have been the first time in Clark’s college and young professional career that she came back from an injury absence, but she looked like she was in midseason form.
By midway through the second quarter, Clark had drained five 3s and was up to 20 points.
She also had four rebounds, three assists and a technical foul after getting feisty with an official over a non-call.
Clark’s 32-point masterpiece helped the Fever become the first team to knock off the defending champions as they beat the Liberty 102-88.
As aggressive as she was and as determined as she was, Clark was clearly on a mission.
The last time the Liberty played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, they overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to squeeze out a two-point win.
Clark was stopped on the final play by Natasha Cloud.
Some controversy was stirred up postgame, with the Fever saying Clark was fouled.
Cloud, though, said it was all ball.
When the previous meeting’s ending was brought up pregame, Clark briefly smiled.
“It’s another really good opportunity for us to come out here and prove we belong with the best,” Clark said. “This is the reigning champs, and this is the standard in the league. Everyone knows that they’re really good.”
The Fever reminded everyone that they’re also really good with a healthy Clark.
Indiana also welcomed back Sophie Cunningham, who had missed a few games with an ankle injury.
loss June 14. NBAE via Getty Images
Still, the Fever aren’t quite at full strength, with DeWanna Bonner away from the team for an undisclosed personal reason.
It didn’t matter.
Covering the Liberty like never before
Sign up for Madeline Kenney's Inside the Liberty, a weekly Sports+ newsletter.
Thank you
The Fever had plenty of offensive firepower between Clark, Kelsey Mitchell (22 points) and Lexie Hull (14).
Sabrina Ionescu was brilliant in the first half.
the Fever on June 14. Getty Images
She scored 27 of her season-high 34 points in the first two quarters and knocked in three 3-pointers, including a deep one at the half that trimmed the Fever lead to 3.
Saturday was the first time the Liberty trailed at halftime this season.
The Liberty looked to take control of the game in the third quarter, but the Fever punched back with a dominant 19-0 run.
Clark scored or assisted on 17 points during that span.
Liberty’s loss to the Fever on June 14. NBAE via Getty Images
The Liberty got within three points in the fourth quarter, but it became clear the Fever weren’t going to blow the game this time.
The Fever went on a 14-2 run. When Mitchell drained a corner 3 at the 2:10 mark, Clark flexed her muscles and screamed.
The fans started to rise to their feet with just over a minute left.
Hull knocked in another 3, which delighted the crowd.
Clark finished with 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 31 minutes.
The Liberty will look to regroup Tuesday when they host the Dream.