The former Hawkeye bounced back from a rough first half, but missed an open three to tie the game in the final seconds.
After playing just 13 games in 2025 due to injury, Saturday was a chance for Caitlin Clark to start fresh.
The former Iowa women's basketball superstar and her Indiana Fever opened the 2026 WNBA season on a disappointing note, falling to Clark's historic rival Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, 107-104, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Clark bounced back from a rough first half to record 20 points, seven assists, and four rebounds on 7-of-17 shooting, but missed a game-tying three pointer in the final seconds .
What Happened?
Clark's WNBA return began with two uncharacteristic plays - a high dribble that led to a turnover and a missed jumper near the free throw line - but she got on the board on the next possession with one of her signature driving layups.
That layup would be Clark's only field goal of the first quarter, as a combination of stellar Dallas defense and the first game jitters held her to just six points on 1-of-4 shooting after one.
The Wings came into this game as the underdog, but it became clear early on that their new-look roster didn't come to Indianapolis to lose.
Indiana struggled to find an offensive rhythm throughout the first half, and its injury problems probably didn't help that. Though Clark and Sophie Cunningham were active for this one, both were on minutes restrictions due to the injuries they sustained last year.
Kelsey Mitchell's strong first half (13 points on 6-for-7 shooting) helped keep the Fever within striking distance, but the Wings held a 60-51 lead at halftime. Clark played 14 minutes in the half, recording eight points and four turnovers on just 2-of-6 shooting.
Any Hawkeye fan that followed Clark during her legendary college career knows that she can catch fire at any given moment in a game, and she did just that.
Indiana coach Stephanie White crafted a play for Clark to open the third quarter, and Clark responded by nailing her first three of the 2026 season. Not surprisingly, that was all she needed to get her team rolling, and before anyone could blink, the game was tied at 67 midway through the third.
Clark did leave the game later in the period to allow the training staff to work on her previously-injured groin, but was back on the floor a few minutes later. Clark wasn't making as many shots as she normally does, but the connection between her and Aliyah Boston was well-established.
The contest remained close, but Bueckers and the Wings made enough plays down the stretch to get out of Circle City with a win.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io