Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark returned to WNBA action for the first time since July in the preseason against the New York Liberty on Saturday. The third-year guard was expected to contend for the WNBA MVP Award last season, but injuries derailed those plans.
Clark is fit heading into the new season, and her return to the court in the Fever’s first preseason game made headlines.
How the WNBA World Reacted to Caitlin Clark’s Return
Clark was named to her second straight All-Star team last season but missed most of the season and playoffs after suffering multiple significant soft tissue injuries. She finished the season averaging 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.
The official WNBA account helped build anticipation on social media, posting, “Year 3 loading for Caitlin Clark. First W game since July 15 (284 days ago). IND-NYL 3pm/ET/ION+ WNBA League Pass.”
Year 3 loading for Caitlin Clark 😮🔥
First W game since July 15 (284 days ago).
IND-NYL | 3pm/ET | ION + WNBA League Pass
Watch free with WNBA ID: https://t.co/nTBMwzjWrs pic.twitter.com/6Plz8inpNa
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 25, 2026
The Fever’s official social media account celebrated Clark’s return by posting on X, “CAITLIN CLARK TRIPLE Things we’ve missed,” highlighting her long-range shooting, which is one of her signature attributes.
CAITLIN CLARK TRIPLE 🎯
things we’ve missed. pic.twitter.com/AF5b532KET
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 25, 2026
One of the fanpages posted on X, “I MISSED THIS SO MUCH CAITLIN FOR THREEEEE.”
I MISSED THIS SO MUCH CAITLIN FOR THREEEEE pic.twitter.com/Nv6bLuNceK
— correlation (@nosyone4) April 25, 2026
In addition to her long-range shooting, the point guard is known for her passing, dribbling, and ability to hit off-balance threes, constantly giving problems to the defenders.
Another user posted, “Caitlin Clark deep in her bag.”
Caitlin Clark deep in her bag.pic.twitter.com/n6XMsdtnDN
— CaitlinFor3 (@CaitlinForThree) April 25, 2026
X account ClarkReport highlighted the Fever star’s production in seventeen minutes of preseason action, “Caitlin Clark in her first quarter back: 7 points (60% TS) 2 assists (0 TO) 2 rebounds.”
Caitlin Clark in her first quarter back:
7 points (60% TS)
2 assists (0 TO)
2 rebounds pic.twitter.com/65b010JGaE— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) April 25, 2026
Madam Maziel wrote on X, “If Caitlin Clark gets comfortable off ball while Coach White slots Raven Johnson over to that lead guard, she won’t have to exert so much energy just getting the ball up the floor. She’s already excelling now she can get easy offense by cutting.”
If Caitlin Clark gets comfortable off ball while Coach White slots Raven Johnson over to that lead guard, she won’t have to exert so much energy just getting the ball up the floor. She’s already excelling now she can get easy offense by cutting,
— madam Maziel (@MadamMaziel) April 25, 2026
The Fever selected Clark’s former rival, point guard Raven Johnson, in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The move was praised throughout the league, as it should take some pressure off Clark and ideally keep her from being worn down by the end of the season.
DON’T MISS: ‘Takes a Little Bit Of Luck’ – Caitlin Clark Makes Feelings Clear On Fever’s Roster Ahead Of 2026 Season
During the offseason, Clark said she wanted to get stronger to avoid more injuries. The 24-year-old defends under pressure from opposing teams on nearly every possession and had been on the receiving end of multiple flagrant/hard fouls last season.
The Fever are projected as WNBA title contenders once again this season if Clark is healthy.
