NEW YORK — The first home game of the season for the New York Liberty, against the Indiana Fever and rookie sensation Caitlin Clarkset an all-time WNBA record with over $2 million in tickets sold.
Breanna Stewart scored 24 points and led a balanced New York attack as the Liberty defeated Clark and the Fever 91-80 on Saturday before a sellout crowd of 17,735 at the Barclays Center.
“I think the buzz and eyes that Caitlin has now brought to the WNBA from Iowa will be a collective victory for everyone,” Stewart said. “When I first started in the league, some teams weren’t even making revenue. … It’s going to take a long time. We’re happy to be at this point, but we’re not satisfied.”
“The Liberty absolutely deserves this crowd. They’ve been incredible the last few seasons, and they’ll be incredible this year, so it was fun to play here in New York for the first time,” said Clark. said.
Stewart helps New York top Indiana again, 91-80, despite strong play from Caitlin Clark
Clark had the best match of her young professional career. It still wasn’t enough for the Fever to come away with their first win of the season. She finished with 22 points – her best total in the three games – with eight assists and six rebounds. She also had eight turnovers.
“I thought I came out and just played harder and I think that’s actually my biggest focus going forward,” Clark said. “Just come out, compete and play hard. Our whole group did that.”
It was the second straight meeting between the teams that concluded a home-and-home set. New York (3-0) won by 36 points on Thursday, but the Fever were more competitive thanks to a strong effort from Clark.
“It was better, but we can’t be happy,” fever watcher Kelsey Mitchell said. “We didn’t lose by 40, so I’ll take it.”
The No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft came into the game averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds for the Fever (0-3).
This was Clark’s first time playing in New York, as Iowa never played in the city, nor when she was in high school or with her AAU team.
“This arena is great. It will be fun for me to go to all the new WNBA arenas and check off the boxes,” Clark said. “This is definitely one that’s definitely up there. I know the crowd is going to be incredible tonight, so just enjoy it.”
Clark attracted a number of sports celebrities to the game, including Billie Jean King, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Michelle Wie West and Dawn Staley. Actor Jason Sudeikis, who went to a few of Clark’s games in college, was also in attendance.
The NCAA Division I’s all-time leading scorer gave them a lot to show for in the first quarter. She looked comfortable scoring 10 points and hitting four of her five shots in the period. Clark, who had just nine points in Thursday’s game between the teams, also hit a logo 3-pointer just after a foul was called.
The play was reviewed and the shot was deemed to have come after the foul, so the deep 3 did not count.
Despite the strong opening effort, Indiana trailed 33-22 after one quarter and trailed 57-37 at halftime. New York shot 56% in the first half, including hitting 12 of 18 from behind the three-point line.
Things didn’t get much better in the second half as the Liberty continued to shoot well and hit 3s. All five of New York’s starters hit at least two three-pointers in the game, while the Liberty made 15. Indiana never got the game within single digits; However, Clark did impress the crowd by hitting two deep three-pointers that drew oohs and aahs.
Barclays Center packed with Liberty die-hards and Clark fans
Liberty fans came to Saturday’s game with high expectations for the season.
“Liberty goes all the way to the championship, no problem,” said Walter McNally of New Jersey.
“I used to watch them at the Garden when I was a little kid. Teresa Weatherspoon, when they went to the finals,” Long Island resident Charlie Schultz said.
Peter Land, a self-proclaimed superfan, took his daughters to the game wearing his favorite T-shirt that read, “I saw women’s basketball before it was cool.”
“I started following the Liberty in 1977, their first year in the league. I used to have season tickets, so I like to take my daughters,” he said.
Even Liberty fans were excited to see Clark play.
“I want to stay with my team, but I have so much respect for her and I think she’s such a great player,” said one fan. “I think she’s been so instrumental in helping women’s sports gain more fans.”
“She’s the first women’s basketball player to really catch the attention of so many people,” said another young fan.
On Monday night, Clark and the Fever return home to host the Connecticut Sun, while the Liberty will host Seattle.
