Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark made a triumphant return on June 13, erupting for 32 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, including seven 3-pointers, to lead the Fever to a 102-88 upset over the previously undefeated New York Liberty.
Her performance electrified Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Among seven, Clark drilled three triples from over 31 feet distance, setting the tone for Indiana’s rally. It also became the most-watched game in WNBA history, clinching a record-high of 20.9 million viewers.
Her high-octane performance not only snapped New York’s 9-0 start but also provided the backdrop for Clark’s emotional reflections on her responsibility to uplift the next generation, inspired by her idol, Maya Moore.
Caitlin Clark Credits Maya Moore for Inspiring Her Game After Defeating Liberty
In a recent interview snippet posted by Fansided, Clark recalled her first meeting with the WNBA Finals MVP and four-time WNBA champion Moore and how her life has come full circle, now that she is “kind of” in Moore’s shoes.
“I vividly remember getting to watch her, and I got a picture with her. You know? It’s just kind of crazy that, you know, I literally was that young girl just a few years back, and now I am in kind of her shoes that she was,” Clark said.
The Fever star continued, emphasizing her intention to follow Moore’s legacy and inspire the upcoming generation, “And I am trying to inspire the next generation and pave the path for them. And, yeah, I think it’s just kind of crazy to look back on, but she was definitely my favorite player.”
Caitlin Clark rocks a Maya Moore warmup shirt ahead of matchup against the Lynx 👏
Clark has been vocal about how she looked up to Maya growing up, and tonight Moore’s #23 will be raised to the rafters
Watch Fever vs Lynx. Unlocked in the WNBA App with a League Pass Free… pic.twitter.com/DDgoXEhrNH
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 24, 2024
According to IndyStar, Clark first met Moore while attending a Minnesota Lynx game at the age of 12 (approximately). She mentioned traveling four hours from Des Moines with her father, where she watched warmups up close and then, after a postgame Q&A, ran up to hug Moore in a spontaneous gesture of admiration.
Back then, the Lynx won four WNBA championships and was the favorite team of little Clark. This brief encounter, unrecorded yet indelible in Clark’s memory, ignited her love for the game. Meeting Moore for a brief moment shaped her journey in a way that would go on to rewrite WNBA lore as Clark would transform from “just a little girl” to today’s new-age star.
Clark’s Return Handed Liberty Their First Loss
The Fever fell behind early, but Clark’s hot hand changed the complexion of the contest. New York started with a 26-24 lead in the first quarter, but Indiana kept up the pace in the second quarter and covered up for the lost momentum with a score of 24-29.
Caitlin Clark’s 3-point distances in yesterday’s win:
33 feet
27 feet
31 feet
26 feet
31 feet
27 feet
26 feetthe 3-point line is 22 feet. pic.twitter.com/ptpvq2WXsS
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 15, 2025
Clark’s return was preceded by a left quadriceps strain sustained against the same Liberty on May 24. She had missed five games, during which the Fever navigated the Commissioner’s Cup slate without their star. Due to her being sidelined, even the WNBA viewership ratings and ticket prices plummeted to a shocking low.
Her comeback against the Liberty not only marked her season-high 32 points but also displayed that being sidelined from matchups did no harm to her on-court sharpness and dominance. Moreover, her back-to-back threes from the logo sent the home crowd of 17,274 into a frenzy and derailed New York.
The craze, the anticipation, and the fervor were proof of how the hoops fans waited for Clark’s return. Her return was so iconic that even NBA stalwart LeBron James tweeted on X, welcoming the Fever star back on court.
Meanwhile, Clark’s poignant reflections on Moore’s significant influence on her life resonate powerfully. Now, the Indiana Fever looks forward to hosting the Connecticut Sun on June 17 in a rematch after losing to them by 83-85 on May 30.