14,998 fans attended a WNBA preseason game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday afternoon. With Caitlin Clark -- the Iowa women's basketball legend who now plays for the Indiana Fever-- back in town, fans wanted to see the star guard play a game at her alma mater. The nostalgia began early as fans took their seats. When Clark was first announced in starting lineups for the Fever-Brazil exhibition contest, the arena noise became reminiscent of a playoff game.
There was initial uncertainty as to whether or not Clark would even play. She missed the Fever's game on Saturday against the Washington Mystics due to a leg injury. However, Clark did not consider it to be a serious issue. The Fever clearly didn't think it was serious either, as Clark played on Sunday.
Clark made her 18 minutes of action count on Sunday. The Fever All-Star scored 16 points while shooting 6-10 from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc. Her leg issue did not seem to be problematic.
Caitlin Clark wanted to give the fans a show at Iowa on Sunday. She delivered on that goal, even connecting on a 36-foot shot from just in front of half-court. After the game, Clark reacted to the turnout of fans at the arena, via the Indiana Fever.
"I mean, they always exceed (my expectations)," Clark said of the fans. "I mean, they were amazing and just really thankful to be able to come back here and appreciate this place and these fans. I mean, it was as loud as it gets when we went on that 8-0 run to start the game, so just thankful."
Clark was later asked to describe the day in one word, via the Indiana Fever.
"Unreal," she said.
The Fever are focused on preparing for the 2025 regular season. They understand that their 2-0 record so far in the preseason won't mean anything on May 17 when they begin their campaign against the Chicago Sky. With that said, Sunday's game at Iowa was clearly special for Clark.
She took time to sign plenty of autographs following the win as well. Everyone in the arena was hoping to meet the former Iowa superstar. She is a legend in the state, and is quickly becoming a fan-favorite in Indiana as well.
There is no shortage of stars around the NBA and WNBA, but Caitlin Clark may be the biggest draw in all of basketball right now.