The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place during a WNBA scheduling gap, but the Indiana Fever were riding high heading into that break.
It was clear that rookie guard Caitlin Clark was settling into her new life as a professional basketball player, and she had truly found her groove.
Even though it was nice to have a break to recharge, Clark told reporters that the Fever and her teammates had to adjust to playing after such a long layoff as they played their first game in 29 days (and their first home game in 34 days) on Friday night.
According to Clutch Points’ Matthew Byrne, Clark stated, “I definitely feel more fresh and prepared and whatever it is.” However, he cautioned that the league is challenging and that he is still adjusting to the schedule.
Just before halftime, I thought we were playing solid basketball, and I felt like I was finally finding my stride. I had an odd need to keep playing, so that was that. I was getting into the groove with the band and with myself, and then you take a month off and we don’t perform again.
After having three weeks off, Caitlin Clark feels more rejuvenated than she did in the three weeks leading up to the season.
It was as if I was beginning to settle into a rhythm… I yearned to prolong the game… then you go on a month-long sabbatical and it’s like, agh. So there’s obviously a balance.”
Full: pic.pic.twitter.com/wEwnmk7VNO
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) August 16, 2024
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) yells to the referee Thursday, June 13, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream, 91-84.
Pre-Olympic break, Clark has scored double-digit points in her last 12 games with double-digit assists in seven of them.
Though her high amount of turnovers are one of the concerns Clark and head coach Christie Sides have mentioned they want her to cut down on, there isn’t a whole lot the Rookie of the Year front-runner needs to improve on from the first half of the season.
The Fever presently occupy third place in the Eastern Conference with a decent chance of snapping their seven-year playoff drought. The path to the postseason starts Friday night at home.
“I feel like we’ve been itching to get back out on the court, especially over the course of the last week,” Clark continued. “We’ve been ready for it, and now we’ve got to come out and show the work we put in.”
