Back after missing three weeks with a quadriceps injury, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark paced her team to a 102-88 victory over the previously unbeaten New York Liberty at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Saturday.
Clark won a tremendous duel with former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu in her first game back since May 24, hitting seven three-pointers on her way to 32 points with eight rebounds and nine assists. Ionescu matched her bucket for bucket, hitting 11-20 from the floor and sinking 8-9 free throws on her way to 34 points, four assists and two rebound.
The Liberty were the last undefeated team in the WNBA, now 9-1. Duck Nyara Sabally started and pulled down nine rebounds and scored 10 points.
Clark hit five of her three-point shots from way beyond the arc, 7-14 in all. A 19-0 run in the third quarter established command for the Fever, who are 5-5 in the young season.
Caitlin Clark just scored 9 points in less than 45 seconds 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/SWBk9PhI4g
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 14, 2025
Their budding rivalry is great for the league as it fights for viewership and popularity, a Bird-versus-Magic infusion of star power in a crowded sports landscape.
Ionescu was gracious in defeat in the post-game press conference. She told reporters, "Basketball's a game of runs... the same way we go on runs, they do as well, they're a great team. I think we gave [Caitlin] too many easy ones, she has great range."
"On a personal level, I'm really to happy to see [Clark] out on the court healthy, feeling good, because obviously it's important for them. But just for her, I'm happy she's back."
SABRINA IONESCU TODAY 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) June 14, 2025
• 34 POINTS
• 4 ASSISTS
• 11/20 FG
pic.twitter.com/nGSHfxYpXQ
Ionescu and the Liberty won the franchise's first-ever WNBA title in October 2024, defeating the Minnesota Lynx three games to two. The all-time Oregon great is in her sixth year in the league, an Olympic gold medalist and three time WNBA All-Star.
She's hit 407 career three-pointers. In 2023 the Walnut Creek, California native led the league by hitting 45 percent beyond the arc. She's also a career 90.8 percent shooter from the free throw line, and she's improved her defense.