LAS VEGAS — She’s still trying to find her way as a professional. Yes, progress is being made.
The crowds remain massive to see her play. The attention she receives on social media is never ending.
Good thing she doesn’t pay attention. Hopefully, she’s telling the truth because if she read 10 percent of what is said about her — both good and bad — it would drive her insane.
Slowly, the veterans in her league are grudgingly giving her respect. Her teammates are in her corner. Her coach is still trying to figure out the best way to utilize her skills.
Somehow, Caitlin Clark is managing the crazy circus that is her life. Every sound bite involving her is scrutinized as if she were running for elected office. She is getting better as are the Indiana Fever.
Good enough to make the WNBA playoffs? Time will tell.
Indiana, which is 8-13 after losing Tuesday to the defending two-time champ Las Vegas Aces 88-69 in front of a franchise-record sellout crowd of 20,366 at T-Mobile Arena (Yes, they moved the game from the smaller Michelob Ultra Arena because of Clark).
The Fever would be in the postseason if the playoffs started today. But there’s still a long way to go and we’ll see if Clark can hold up physically as well as emotionally as the pressure to succeed gets ratcheted up following the Olympics, an event she will not be part of thanks to the decision by USA Basketball to not put her on the team.
But she will be back in Phoenix later this month for the WNBA All-Star Game. She is the top vote-getter and was named to the team Tuesday night.
“It would certainly be cool,” she said before receiving the news. “As a kid, you watch all-star games and dream of being in them.
"But those things take care of themselves if you do the right things and take care of your business.”
The last time Clark and the Fever were in Vegas on May 25, it didn’t go well. The Aces held her well in check, limiting her to just eight points and forced her into six turnovers in what was a 99-80 beatdown by Las Vegas. And that was without star guard Chelsea Gray.
Tuesday, Gray was on the floor and life in Vegas wasn’t much more pleasant the second time around for Clark, who might’ve been better served taking a spin at the roulette wheel where she could put it all on 22 Black. With Jackie Young harassing her most of the evening, she shot just 4 of 12 from the floor, only 1 of 7 from 3-point range, had six turnovers and finished with 13 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in a losing effort as the Aces extended their winning streak to five. The streak coincides with Gray’s return, which came on June 19 against Seattle.
“I’m starting to feel more comfortable,” Clark said. “I feel like there’s been a lot of growth — for both myself and for the team.
“There’s still so much that I can improve and get better at.”
Indiana coach Christie Sides, who has endure considerable criticism over the way she has handled Clark early on, said, things are improving with her star rookie who is averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 5.6 turnovers.
“Just the way she’s bought in to this team and her teammates,” she said when asked about Clark’s development. “She was trying to figure things out. But I’m proud of her growth and her buying in.”
Around the WNBA, the veterans are acknowledging that Clark is good for the game.
“She’s been amazing,” Diana Taurasi said after her Phoenix Mercury lost to Indiana Sunday. “What she’s been able to do in her short career so far has been nothing short of remarkable. What I love about her is that she loves the game. She’s put the work in.
“There have been a lot of things in her short WNBA career, a lot of pressure on her. But she keeps showing up and getting better.”
Both Taurasi and Brittney Griner both showed Clark some love prior to tipoff at the Footprint Center. Tuesday, Clark received a similar reception from the Aces’ starters.
That’s not to say we’re going to see a lovefest break out anytime soon between Clark and Chicago rookie Angel Reese. The two high-profile first-year players have had a contentious relationship going back to college when Reese and LSU beat Clark and Iowa for the NCAA women’s championship in 2023.
This isn’t a Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry in terms of mutual respect that evolved into friendship. Not yet anyway.
But these two may ultimately be teammates playing for their country come 2028 in Los Angeles. And life between them may be very different by then. That would be another step in the right direction for women’s basketball.