{"id":616421,"date":"2026-05-01T02:05:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/616421\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T02:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:05:24","slug":"fever-vs-wings-takeaways-caitlin-clarks-early-exit-azzi-fudds-pro-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/616421\/","title":{"rendered":"Fever vs. Wings takeaways: Caitlin Clark\u2019s early exit, Azzi Fudd\u2019s pro debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

It had been 291 days since Caitlin Clark played in a home game for the Indiana Fever. The 2024 No. 1 pick was limited to just 13 games<\/a> and eight home games last year amid an injury-riddled campaign. On Thursday night, however, Clark received a long-awaited applause from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd during pregame warmups as the Fever prepared to host the Dallas Wings for a preseason game.<\/p>\n

The fans got even louder when Clark scored the Fever\u2019s first field goal on a driving layup and followed that up with a long 3-pointer. But her night was cut short after she said she banged knees with an opponent in the third quarter. Clark finished with 21 points in 16 minutes as the Wings pulled away for a 95-80 victory.<\/p>\n

Caitlin Clark leaves early<\/p>\n

Clark exited Thursday\u2019s preseason game due to what at first appeared to be a right ankle injury. The two-time All-Star launched one of her signature stepback 3s over Dallas forward and reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith in the third quarter, but when Clark came down, she landed on Smith\u2019s foot.<\/p>\n

#Fever<\/a> star Caitlin Clark says she just banged her knee really hard when she went down in the third quarter after being fouled on a 3-pointer. A huge sigh of relief for the Fever.<\/p>\n

\u2014 James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Clark rolled over in pain before getting up and limping toward her teammates and coaches, who had gathered near the Fever\u2019s bench. Officials reviewed the play, and Smith was assessed a flagrant foul for not giving Clark enough room to land safely. Clark made two of her three free-throw attempts before exiting the game at the 7:51 mark of the third quarter.<\/p>\n

Clark was briefly examined by the Fever\u2019s training staff while she was on the bench, but she did not go back to the locker room. The third-year pro was 4-of-6 shooting from the field and drained 11 of her 13 free-throw attempts. She also dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark went down in the second half after landing on Alanna Smith\u2019s foot. (Justin Casterline \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Azzi Fudd makes pro debut<\/p>\n

Fudd, the 2026 No. 1 pick, made her pro debut. The former UConn star drained her first shot attempt, a midrange jumper over Clark in the first quarter. Fudd finished with 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting, missing both of her 3-point attempts, in 16 minutes.<\/p>\n

Paige Bueckers scored Dallas\u2019 first points on a wing 3-pointer, and it was a sign of things to come. The 2025 No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year led the way for the Wings with 20 points in 20 minutes. She shot 8-of-12 from the field, draining four 3s, and had three assists and two rebounds.<\/p>\n

Maddy Siegrist and Aziaha James chipped in with 18 and 17 points, respectively, as Dallas shot 51 percent from the field. The Wings led by as many as 23 points.<\/p>\n

Raven Johnson continues to impress<\/p>\n

Fever rookie Johnson<\/a> followed up her preseason debut, a 6-point and eight-assist outing against the Liberty on Saturday, with another strong performance Thursday. The No. 10 pick stuffed the stat sheet with 3 points, five assists, five steals and one rebound in 21 minutes off the bench.<\/p>\n

Johnson has continually praised Clark for her mentorship as Johnson\u2019s regular-season debut inches closer. The two squared off in back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2023 and 2024 when Johnson and Clark starred at South Carolina and Iowa, respectively, but Johnson said it was easy to quickly turn their attention toward a common goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I put the Indiana fever jersey on, I said, \u2018Let\u2019s try to win a championship together,\u2019\u201d Johnson said pregame, reciting a conversation she had with Clark.<\/p>\n

This story will be updated.<\/p>\n