Caitlin Clark's Fever Blown Out By New York Liberty In Home Debut

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have a long way to go.

The Fever sensation debuted at home and was stomped by the New York Liberty. Indiana's home crowd showed up for Clark's debut but left with a sour taste after a 36-point loss.

Clark's newly retired college coach, Lisa Bluder, appeared at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to support the former Iowa Hawkeye star, alongside new Hawkeyes coach Jan Jensen.

Clark's second game was a step back from Tuesday's season-opener against the Connecticut Sun, in which she tallied a WNBA-record 10 turnovers. The turnover count was the highest ever in a debut performance.

On Thursday, Clark scored nine points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. Clark went into halftime having scored just two points.

Reigning MVP Breanna Stewart scored 31 points with 10 rebounds for the Liberty. New York routed Indiana, 102-66.

INDIANAPOLIS - Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever smiles before the game against the New York Liberty on May 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark faces pressure after two games. Holding the weight of the WNBA on her shoulders, Clark's box-office appeal puts every performance in the spotlight, meaning trolls will swoop in if she's short of ‘spectacular.' 

One salient point in the early Clark critiques is that the Indiana Fever roster picked first overall in the draft… for a reason. Clark's trajectory in the WNBA looks sky-high, even if the takeoff is sputtering.

INDIANAPOLIS - Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the New York Liberty on May 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS - Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is introduced before the game against the New York Liberty on May 16, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

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