Caitlin Clark Scores 17 in Return to All-Star Game After Missing Last Year

CHICAGO — Caitlin Clark scored 11 points in the opening 2½ minutes Saturday night and finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists as Team Spoon beat Team Coop 129-122 in the WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center.

Clark opened with a running layup, then hit 3-pointers from 28, 34, and 38 feet inside the game's first three minutes, according to the official play-by-play. She shot 4-of-8 in the first quarter and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Early in the second quarter, Clark hit another 3 off a no-look pass from Olivia Miles, the only rookie selected for the game.

Clark went 6-of-17 overall and 5-of-15 from 3-point range in 20 minutes. She had 5 turnovers. Fourteen of her points came in the first half.

Last year's All-Star Game was played in Indianapolis, and Clark missed it with a groin injury.

"Last year really stunk, especially with it being in our home city. You never want to miss that, and you never want to miss it for the fans," Clark said at the postgame press conference. "I love showing up, competing, and playing."

Saturday was Clark's first appearance in a conventional All-Star Game. The 2024 event, held during her rookie season, matched the U.S. Olympic team against a roster of All-Stars.

"It was kind of a unique experience for me because I really haven't played in a true All-Star game," Clark said. "[Olivia Miles] came up to me and asked if I was excited, and she said she was nervous because she didn't know what to expect. I told her, 'To be honest, I'm kind of in the same boat.'"

Fans, media, and players voted Clark in as a starter. The league's coaches selected the reserves, and Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon drafted the two rosters. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve coached Team Spoon.

Indiana played Wednesday before the break. Clark said she was flying home Saturday night and on to Seattle on Sunday.

"Obviously, it's a tough turnaround, and the Fever probably have one of the quickest ones," Clark said. "Everybody can complain about the schedule, but at the same time, it's always an honor to put this jersey on, compete, and be around the best players in the world."

Kelsey Mitchell, Clark's teammate in Indiana, led all scorers with 28 points for Team Coop and added 5 steals. The last of them came on the final possession, when Clark threw a pass off her.

"It was really strange being on the other side of the ball from her," Clark said. "I swear she doesn't miss any shots, so I'm just really glad she's on my team most of the time because she makes my life really easy."

Aliyah Boston, the third Indiana player selected, played 5 minutes and did not score.

Jonquel Jones won MVP with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists for Team Spoon. Miles finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists on 5-of-5 shooting. Eight Team Spoon players scored in double figures.

Players spent part of the weekend at the Obama Presidential Center, and President Barack Obama spoke to them about focusing on joy. Clark was asked about that message at the press conference.

"For myself, I came out just trying to have fun, enjoy tonight, play hard, and set the tone for my team," Clark said. "Then the second group came in and was like, 'Okay, we're going to play like that too.'"

Clark is 24. Indiana drafted her first overall in 2024 out of Iowa.

The teams combined to attempt 127 3-pointers and make 41. Team Spoon shot 20-of-61 from beyond the arc and outscored Team Coop 38-11 in fast break points.

Attendance was 19,783, a sellout and the largest crowd for a WNBA All-Star Game. It was the first All-Star Game held in Chicago since 2022, when the event was played at Wintrust Arena.

Clark has averaged 21.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 23 games this season. She has shot 43.5% from the field, 34.5% from 3-point range, and 86.4% at the free-throw line in 29.2 minutes per game.

Indiana is 17-10 and fifth in the standings, 4.5 games behind Minnesota. The Fever have won three straight and average 95.5 points per game, the most in the league.

Indiana plays at Seattle on Tuesday.