Indiana Fever superstar returned to the hardwood with a bang! As the team faces New York Liberty in a gruelling showdown on the home court, the question no longer pertains to whether Caitlin Clark can have a successful comeback. Everything now lies in whether Clark’s jaw-dropping comeback is leading the Fever to it’s first victory against the reigning champions?

As the third ranked team in the Eastern Conference Division, it is crucial for the Indiana Fever to defeat the highest ranked team. Why? They restore a 5-5 win-loss balance and secure a safe spot. But the jackpot lies in the fact that the roster will inch closer to climbing the ladder. And the only thing stopping them are the two equally formidable opponents- the New York Liberty and the Atlanta Dream.

In the middle of the crucial moments, Clark was slapped with her first technical of the evening. And as usual, the sophomore athlete couldn’t help but confront the officials. While this grave decision by the referee in the second quarter can be a thorn in the team’s victory run, something unusual caught the camera’s eye.

The official WNBA account took to X and shared Liberty athlete Breanna Stewart’s reaction. The account captioned the clip with “5 TRIPLES IN ONE HALF. Even Stewie knows this is ABSURD!” Meanwhile, the Liberty athlete can be seen laughing as Clark gets the bucket.

With just 5:27 minutes left in the second quarter, Caitlin Clark attempted a 31-foot three-point step back jump shot as Stewart defended. And as the ball hit the bucket, Stewart could not hold back but laugh. As a result, Clark too let out an amused reaction. The fifth three-pointer shot was just one of the many remarkable stints by Clark on the floor today.

The 2024 ROTY managed to fetch 25 points in barely 15 minutes of her playing time. She shot 9-of-13 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point range. Now that’s called a spectacular return! In fact, IndyStar sports reporter, Chloe Peterson informed of a challenge timeout and wrote on X, “The challenge was unsuccessful, and the Fever are charged with a timeout and have no challenges for the rest of the game.”

However, the technical foul by Clark let to a coach’s challenge with just 4:37 minutes in the second quarter. Soon after, the team took a full timeout at 4:09. Despite such setbacks in the game, the roster managed a five-point lead in the second quarter. While the veteran Liberty’s roster has been putting up a tough front against the Fever.

Having said that, it is these light-hearted moments in the game that truly define the what the league is all about. As Stewie and Clark laughed along at the “5 triple remark“, this incident signifies and strengthens great bonds within the league. And as fans of a particular franchise, we too must consider the fact that they are just players, at the end of the day. Professionals fulfilling their duty.

Caitlin Clark shared a heartfelt confession for the franchise

Indiana Fever’s star player Caitlin Clark has been turning heads ever since she stepped in the pros. She pulled the team out from a dry spell and propelled them into the 2024 playoffs. While this is just one instance of the athlete’s dedication towards the locker room, Clark recently confessed to spending the rest of her professional career in the franchise.

“Ty and I would both tell you this is where we both hope to stay the rest of our careers,” Clark told ESPN. “People are like, ‘It’s a small market.’ But no, that’s what makes it fun. These people, this is what means the world to them.” The Iowa alum is currently under a four-year rookie contract with the Indiana Fever.

She signed a ludicrous deal worth $338,056 last season. Moreover, she has drawn massive crowds wherever she goes. More than 17,000 spectators have been packing the Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena, thanks to Clark. And if this was not enough, the star player even attracted crowds each time she visited the men’s team to extend support.

Moreover, the television viewership ratings of the WNBA dropped to more than 50% after she was sidelined for more than two weeks owing to a left quad injury. And this is just one instance of how she has broken the viewership records. She has influenced merchandise sales and is a national sensation.

This bond between Caitlin and her home fans dates back to her college days. From a successful collegiate run in the Iowa Hawkeye to her sophomore run under Indiana Fever, it is her personality coupled with professionalism that draws the crowds towards Clark. This magnetism is reflective in her work ethics and her dominance in the paint.

No wonder head coach Stephanie White can’t help but appreciate the athlete. She has been referred to as the Steph Curry of Women’s Basketball as well as the Rising Star in the NBA. And as the overall No. 1 pick continues her run with the team that inducted her, this relationship between her and fans will only grow over the years as Clark etch her legacy in the league.