ESPN takeaways from Caitlin Clark's season opener, WNBA return

For the first time in over nine months, Caitlin Clark returned to the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a regular-season game. And her return lived up to the hype.

Even though the Indiana Fever came up short in a 107-104 barnburner against the Dallas Wings, Clark looked more like herself as the game wore on. Clark finished the afternoon with 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds in 31 minutes. She went 7-of-18 from the field, but struggled from 3-point range, knocking down just two of her nine attempts.

Clark really got things going in the third quarter, where she scored 10 of her 20 points. The third-year pro had a few impressive finishes at the rim and showed off her signature playmaking skill on multiple occasions. It wasn't a perfect game, but it was a great start to a pivotal season for her and the Fever.

Most of the basketball world was left very impressed by Clark's season-opening performance. That includes ESPN, which had great things to say about the former Iowa superstar in the 10 things they learned from the WNBA's opening weekend.

Clark wasn't that 2024 version of herself Saturday, and got off to a slow start, but still finished with 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the Indiana Fever's 107-104 home loss to the Dallas Wings... Of course, there would be some rust, but the elite offensive talent was visible and it was clear that the franchise cornerstone will soon be completely back to her normal self. - Kareem Copeland, ESPN

Copeland acknowledged the slow start that quickly turned into a quality game for Clark. The rust had to be knocked off, and it will take some time for her to get back into a normal routine. But Copeland, just like almost everybody else, knows that it won't be long until everything comes together for Clark.

Clark and the Fever will have a chance to get in the win column for the first time this season on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Sparks. That game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. CST and can be seen on the USA Network.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN takeaways from Caitlin Clark's season opener, WNBA return