Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Caitlin Clark has strong start against New York Liberty

By Eric Smithling | Last updated May 18, 2024 1:54 PM ET

Fever rookie Caitlin Clark got off to the best start of her early WNBA career during Saturday's road game against the Liberty.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft looked right at home in her first game at any level in New York City, scoring more points in the first quarter (10) than she did all of Thursday's home opener (nine), also against New York.

She made two 3-point shots, one following a make by Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, and got to the basket for a couple of layups as she finished the opening frame 4-of-5 from the court.

The rook is goin’ to work EARLY

Caitlin Clark racks up 2 PTS & 3 AST in the first 2 minutes vs. the Liberty!

ABC | WNBA Tip-Off presented by @carmax pic.twitter.com/850R8FDWW7
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 18, 2024

CAITLIN CLARK CONNECTS

She’s up to 5 PTS & 3 AST in the 1Q on ABC pic.twitter.com/eyAiFCFmtO
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 18, 2024

Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark trading buckets

ABC pic.twitter.com/Qn4CoVbhtS
— ESPN (@espn) May 18, 2024

Clark added three assists in the first quarter and discussed her improved play with ESPN's Holly Rowe before afterward.

"I think we're playing a lot faster in transition," said Clark, who excelled in college with Iowa's up-tempo offense.

The NCAA's all-time leading scorer had an inauspicious start to her WNBA career, setting a record for most turnovers (10) by a player making their league debut on Tuesday against the Sun. Clark was held to single-digit points in her second game, the first time she failed to reach 10 points since Jan. 9, 2021, with the Hawkeyes.

The third time is apparently the charm for Clark, but not her new team. The Fever trail the Liberty, 44-24, midway through the second quarter.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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