Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever look to bounce back from a disappointing loss in the star’s return from injury.
Clark was held to 10 points in the Fever’s 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday, in addition to recording six assists and five rebounds. She shot 4-of-12 from the field and made 2-of-5 3-pointers in the loss, which marked her first game back in the lineup after being sidelined five games due to a left groin injury.
“It felt good to be out there,” Clark said, noting it’s “going to take me a second to get my wind back. There’s not anything that can replicate a true game. … I was trying to play shorter stints, but sometimes it’s almost harder to sit on the bench and come in the game. It’s kind of finding a balance of that. Just trying to get my legs under me.”
The Fever’s schedule doesn’t get any easier with a matchup against the Atlanta Dream on Friday, July 11. The Dream may have lost three of their last five games, but Atlanta (12-7) enters the matchup with the fourth-best record in the league and has a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over the Fever (9-10) this season, winning the last matchup 77-58 in Atlanta on June 10. Clark was ruled out of that contest with a left quad injury.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Fever’s matchup against the Dream Friday:
WOMEN’S SPORTS: The latest news and insider insights from USA TODAY Studio IX.
‘IT’S DIFFICULT’: Clark says injury-riddled season has taken mental toll
Rhyne Howard carried back to locker room with leg injury
The Dream’s Rhyne Howard was shaken up after getting tangled up with the Fever’s Lexie Hull on a rebound attempt. With the Fever leading 24-23 with 7:29 remaining in the second quarter, Howard appeared to hyperextend her left knee while chasing a rebound and the All-Star immediately went down clutching her knee. She was carried back to the locker room. She has five points on the night.
End of Q1: Dream 23, Fever 21
The Atlanta Dream have a two-point lead heading into the second quarter, thanks to a 10-point performance from Jordin Canada, who knocked down a pair of threes in the first quarter.
The Fever, who had the second-best field-goal percentage in the league heading into Friday’s contest (45.7%), were held to 36.4% from the field and only 2-of-10 from three, compared to the Dream’s 50% from the field and beyond the arc.
Natasha Howard has a team-high five points. Clark is up to four points (2-of-5 FG, 0-of-2 3PT).
What time is Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream?
The Indiana Fever host the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ION.
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream: TV, stream
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
- TV: ION
- Live stream: Fubo (free trial)
Indiana Fever starting lineup
Is Caitlin Clark playing today?
Yes. Clark was not listed on the Fever’s injury report and is ready to go Friday. She previously missed five games with a quad injury and five games due to a left groin injury.
Atlanta Dream starting lineup
Caitlin Clark: Tyrese Haliburton ‘certainly loves the Fever’
Caitlin Clark and Tyrese Haliburton are each other’s best friends.
Haliburton has been a mainstay at Fever games, most recently at the Fever’s loss against Golden State on July 9. Clark has returned the favor. Clark attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder alongside several of her teammates.
“He loves basketball,” Clark said on Friday. “He certainly loves the Fever and he loves this state.”
Stream Fever vs. Dream on Fubo
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