Caitlin Clark scores 20 points in Fever defeat as WNBA season begins
Caitlin Clark returned to competitive action with a 20-point performance as the Indiana Fever suffered a 107-104 defeat to the Dallas Wings on the opening weekend of the WNBA season.
The historic 30th campaign of the premier women’s basketball league tipped off with a blend of expanding franchises, dominant upsets and high-profile returns.
All eyes were firmly fixed on Indianapolis as the Fever’s star guard stepped onto the court for her first competitive match in 296 days.
The 24-year-old had missed the majority of the 2025 season due to a series of frustrating, nagging injuries.
Rust evident but brilliance remains
Despite showing initial signs of rust during the early stages of Saturday’s encounter, the former Rookie of the Year finished with an impressive seven assists and five rebounds alongside her scoring tally.
Shooting accuracy proved elusive for the prolific playmaker, who managed to convert just two of her nine attempts from beyond the three-point arc.
She concluded the evening shooting 38.9% from the field, though her second-half performance featured trademark deep pull-up jumpers and exceptional transition passing.
Opposing defenders consistently struggled to contain the franchise cornerstone whenever she drove aggressively toward the basket.
Wings soar while champions stumble
The visiting Dallas side demonstrated remarkable offensive efficiency to spoil the highly anticipated homecoming.
Having secured only 10 victories throughout a dismal 2025 campaign, the Texas-based outfit appeared entirely transformed in their season opener.
They recorded a phenomenal 59.1% shooting accuracy from the floor, firmly putting to rest memories of last year’s league-worst offensive statistics.
Elsewhere across the league, the Las Vegas Aces experienced a turbulent start to their title defence.
New beginnings and title rematches
After receiving their diamond-encrusted 2025 championship rings, the defending champions were heavily defeated by the Phoenix Mercury.
The result provided a small measure of retribution for the Arizona franchise following their comprehensive sweep in last year’s WNBA Finals.
However, Las Vegas quickly recovered their composure, delivering a commanding blowout victory against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
The milestone weekend also featured the historic debut of the expansion Toronto Tempo, alongside the return of the Portland Fire following a 24-year absence from the league.