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Watch: Caitlin Clark wastes no time finding range from deep in Fever-Liberty showdown
Fever guard Caitlin Clark started hot against the WNBA's best team on Saturday.
The No. 1 overall pick of April's draft hit a three on her first attempt, which came off an excellent opening set.
Clark worked off-ball as forward Aliyah Boston dribbled at the three-point line and set a screen for her All-Star teammate. The 2023 first-overall pick passed to Clark, who took a couple of dribbles to her left, created space and drained the 28-footer to give the Fever the early 3-0 lead over the New York Liberty (17-3).
Caitlin Clark pulls up and knocks down the triple.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 6, 2024
we are underway at @GainbridgeFH pic.twitter.com/uq6aHTIL2t
Caitlin Clark wastes NO time getting on the board
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2024
She connects from three with her first shot of the contest on CBS! pic.twitter.com/1Cdy6C0AMu
Clark scored a layup on Indiana's next possession, and Indiana raced out to a 24-12 lead after Clark knocked down her third three of the quarter.
Caitlin Clark is AUTOMATIC FROM THREE pic.twitter.com/dXiFWOQC9b
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 6, 2024
The NCAA's all-time leading scorer entered Saturday's game, Indiana's 22nd of the season, averaging 16 points, 7.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
She finished the first with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep, with three assists, three rebounds and two steals in eight minutes.
The Fever lead, 24-18.
Indiana (8-13) is 6-4 in its last 10 games after beginning the season 2-9 and is percentage points ahead of the Dream (7-12) for the league's final playoff spot.
After their slow start, the Fever are starting to pick it up. And it all starts with Clark.
More must-reads:
- The greatest WNBA teams of all time
- Kelsey Mitchell may have saved Fever's season with 38-point outing against Sun
- The 'First overall WNBA draft pick' quiz
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Lynx leave no doubt they're WNBA's best with win over Liberty
Missing perennial MVP candidate Napheesa Collier for a fourth consecutive game, the Minnesota Lynx didn't blink in Saturday's rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty. Instead, the Lynx affirmed that they're in a class of their own with an 86-80 win just a month before the playoffs begin. Collier remained out after suffering a sprained ankle on Aug. 2 against the Las Vegas Aces. However, her team prevailed in her absence against the Liberty (21-13), who entered Saturday tied with the Atlanta Dream (21-12) for second in the league standings. Guard Courtney Williams led all scorers with 26 points and notched the go-ahead bucket with under two minutes remaining. Guard Kayla McBride had an uncharacteristic off-shooting game, even missing four free throws, but still managed to score 17 points. Meanwhile, forward Jessica Shepard, who has taken on an increased role with Collier sidelined, recorded her third double-double in five games, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Lynx (28-5) have won six in a row. Minnesota is 3-0 against New York, which defeated them in five games, 3-2, to win last year's WNBA championship. Two of those wins against the Liberty have come without Collier, who also missed last Sunday's 83-71 victory. In the one game she was healthy, the Lynx won, 100-93, and Collier scored 30 points. On Friday, Collier's status improved from out to doubtful, a step in the right direction for her eventual return. The Lynx close their season series with the Liberty on Tuesday, followed by a back-to-back at the Dream and Indiana Fever (18-16) on Thursday and Friday. Based on its recent play, Minnesota should be fine regardless of when Collier is reinserted into the starting rotation. The Lynx have been the WNBA's best team all season, and the last two weeks have proven just how good they are.
TSN Analyst Shoots Down Bold Canadiens-Ducks Trade Idea
Speculation swirled this week about a possible blockbuster trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks, but TSN/Forbes legal analyst Eric Macramalla was quick to pour cold water on the idea. The proposed deal centered around swapping top prospects: Montreal defenseman David Reinbacher and Anaheim forward Mason McTavish. On the surface, the trade has appeal. Reinbacher, a right-shot blueliner with legitimate top-pairing potential, would give the Ducks the kind of defensive cornerstone they’ve been searching for. Meanwhile, McTavish could provide the Canadiens with a much-needed second-line center behind Nick Suzuki, filling a hole that’s lingered for several seasons. But as Macramalla pointed out, the trade simply doesn’t add up for Montreal. Moving Reinbacher would leave the Canadiens dangerously thin on the right side of their defense, an area that already lacks long-term depth. While McTavish would be a strong addition, sacrificing a potential top-pairing defenseman is a price too steep for GM Kent Hughes to consider at this stage of the rebuild. Ultimately, while the concept may generate fan debate, Macramalla stressed that the Canadiens aren’t in a position to weaken their blue line just to address their center depth. For now, the deal “won’t work.” Fan Feedback: A Split Reaction Canadiens fans were quick to weigh in on the trade chatter, with opinions ranging from firm rejection to cautious interest. Some backed Macramalla’s stance, with one fan suggesting Montreal could use “other assets the Ducks would like” and another noting the Habs’ young defense core “will be a strength of the team for the next decade.” The Curfew Boys Podcast called it “1 step forward, 2 steps back.” Others saw more merit. One account argued he’d, “Do it one for one,” calling McTavish “more established at this point.” Another echoed that sentiment: “McT is a proven player, make the trade!!” Skeptics highlighted Reinbacher’s lack of NHL experience, and others questioned his durability. Meanwhile, Gord of Thunder took a playful shot at the concept, invoking The Princess Bride: “You never trade a defenseman with top pairing ability for a second line player — it’s inconceivable.” Even creative alternatives emerged, with one fan proposing a three-way deal involving Calgary. The verdict? While many fans respect McTavish’s value, most agree that giving up Reinbacher would leave the Canadiens with a hole too big to fill.
Chicago Bears: A running back trade has just opened up
Forget trading the house and buying high for an aging Trey Hendrickson; the Chicago Bears have another player to think about getting in on before the regular season. On offense, the Bears have everything they need besides a left tackle and running back depth. Most of the focus in training camp has been on quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing game, but Chicago had a known weakness at running back entering the offseason. The Chicago Bears have a potential trade target Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders are shopping running back Brian Robinson Jr. in the preseason. “Sources: The Commanders have been shopping RB Brian Robinson Jr. to teams around the NFL,” Schultz wrote. “The former 3rd-round pick out of Alabama is entering the final year of his contract.” During his first three seasons in the league, Robinson has rushed 570 times for 2,329 yards (4.1 yards per rush) and 15 touchdowns. He’s helpful as a receiver out of the backfield, recording 65 receptions for 587 yards, and five touchdowns. Robinson would be a helpful addition to a Bears offense that struggled with the run last season, finishing 25th in rushing in D’Andre Swift’s first season in Chicago. The lack of production had many hoping the Bears would land Ashton Jeanty, but they were way too far back in the draft. Behind Swift, the Bears have Roschon Johnson and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai.
The good, the bad, and the ugly from Caleb Williams' 2025 preseason debut
Chicago Bears fans heaved a collective sigh of relief on Sunday night. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams made his preseason debut after being held out of the opener, and he torched the Buffalo Bills on his first drive. He went five-for-six for 97 passing yards and a touchdown, racking up a perfect 158.3 passer rating. After a second drive that seemed to be far more conservative with the play calling, Williams' night was over. He completed six of 10 passes for 107 yards and a TD. We didn't get to see much of Williams on Sunday night, but here's what we can take away from his limited action. The Good: Playing on time and in structure More important than Williams' stats was the way he actually looked on the field. All offseason, the biggest question mark on his projections for 2025 has been whether he can rein in the 'hero ball' exploits and play on time and in structure. Ben Johnson's complex offensive schemes rely heavily on the quarterback getting the ball to exactly where it needs to be at exactly the right time. While this question has not yet received a final answer, Williams certainly looked the part of a quarterback who can play the role of the traditional drop-back passer in his preseason debut. The ball was coming out of his hands quick, his footwork was clean, and he didn't take any sacks. The Bad: Midrange accuracy We haven't even gotten to the ugly yet, and I'm already having to nitpick Williams' game to find flaws. One thing that was definitely bad, however, was a pass to rookie Colston Loveland that was very nearly too high. Loveland leaped and extended his arms to reel it in and pick up the first down, but the six-foot-six tight end should not have had to go to such lengths to make the catch. The ugly: Just how wrong the critics were Hopefully, the praise that Williams will get this week from NFL media and analysts will be just as loud as the disrespect. Williams silenced the critics with a fantastic debut, and anyone who spent the last week and a half delivering Caleb Williams hot takes should have an emphatic statement of support for the young quarterback ready to go.
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