On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Caitlin Clark made all sorts of waves on Saturday night in her first game back from a lingering quad injury. The Indiana Fever superstar showed no signs of rust at all despite missing her team's last five games.
Clark went off for a season-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting, with eight rebounds, nine assists, a steal, two blocks and seven triples to lead Indiana to a 102-88 win over the defending champs, the New York Liberty.
The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year was red-hot from the get-go. She knocked down three straight triples in the first quarter in what was an undeniably awe-inspiring sequence.
Clark hit back-to-back-to-back treys from way out to send the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a frenzy early in the game.
CAITLIN CLARK WITH BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK THREES pic.twitter.com/ZASVisSIdR
— ESPN (@espn) June 14, 2025
Renowned college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale was just one of the myriad of fans who were left in utter disbelief by Clark's heroics on Saturday night. The 86-year-old took to social media to share his thoughts on Clark's performance, which prompted a bold reference to Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry.
"Yes @CaitlinClark22 ‘ s range is only challenged by a the best shooter of all time @StephenCurry30 watch these highlights . She led the @IndianaFever to a big Win vs the @nyliberty who were 9-0 . I am in AWE!" Vitale wrote on X, sharing a highlight reel of Clark's 25-point explosion in the first half.
Yes @CaitlinClark22 ‘ s range is only challenged by a the best shooter of all time @StephenCurry30 watch these highlights . She led the @IndianaFever to a big Win vs the @nyliberty who were 9-0 . I am in AWE! via @ESPN App https://t.co/ytQVHpaDjc
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 14, 2025
Vitale has been around the game for decades now, and the fact of the matter is that he knows his stuff. He's one of the most respected basketball minds in the sport, and for him to have such high praise for Clark says a lot.
Moreover, Vitale mentioning Clark in the same breath as Curry, who is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time, is a huge honor for the young WNBA All-Star.
After seeing Clark's performance on Saturday night, though, and how she unloaded those three straight bombs from way beyond the three-point line, and the way the fans reacted, it's hard to deny that the Curry comparisons are warranted.
More must-reads:
- Sparks roll toward playoff spot with buzzer-beating win against Liberty
- Bears GM speaks out after superstar goes down with injury
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Sky aim for redemption against Fever without Caitlin Clark
The latest clash between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky may not include Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese. Clark will miss the game due to her right groin injury while the health of Reese's back will determine whether she's on the floor when her Sky squad hosts the Fever on Sunday afternoon. Reese missed Chicago's 95-57 loss to the visiting Seattle Storm on Thursday and was listed as questionable by the Sky late Saturday afternoon. It should be noted Reese was listed with the same label prior to sitting out against Seattle. Reese is averaging 13.8 points and a league-best 12.5 rebounds. Clark is out for the fourth straight regular-season contest -- she also sat out last weekend's All-Star game -- due to her third injury of the season. She missed time with left groin and left quadriceps ailments earlier this season and has missed 13 games overall. The Fever (13-12) are getting used to playing without Clark. "If we have Caitlin, great," Indiana forward Sophie Cunningham said after scoring 15 points in Thursday's 80-70 home victory over the Las Vegas Aces. "And we know how to play with her. If we don't have Caitlin, great, we know how to play without her. And I think that's just so important." All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell has thrived by scoring 20 points or more in five of Indiana's past six games. Mitchell ranks fourth in the WNBA in scoring at 19.6 points per game. Mitchell scored 21 points against the Aces. Natasha Howard was 6-of-9 shooting and had 18 points and 13 rebounds. "Our defense got our offense going," Howard said postgame on Thursday. "That's how we make games like that. We don't rely on our offense a lot. We rely on our defense. ... When our defense is going, our offense is going." Chicago (7-17) has dropped four straight games by an average of 27.8 points. Three of the losses have been by more than 20 points, including an 86-49 loss to the Atlanta Dream and a 91-68 setback against the Minnesota Lynx. Veteran guard Rachel Banham was critical of the team's competitive level after the 38-point loss to Seattle. "It felt gross," Banham said after scoring 13 points. "It's probably how you guys look at it. We're just not consistent. It just feels gross. This is gross basketball, and we know that." Sky coach Tyler Marsh surely recognized what Banham observed. "Right now, the message is to compete," Marsh said. "... We're looking for fight, we're looking for competitors." Chicago leading scorer Ariel Atkins (13.9 points per game) will miss her fourth straight game due to a leg injury. Indiana won the first two meetings with the Sky this season by an average of 31 points.
Cowboys make questionable move amid Micah Parsons stalemate
The Dallas Cowboys extended one of their stars Sunday, just not the one fans wanted them to pay. At Cowboys training camp Saturday, Dallas fans serenaded owner Jerry Jones with "Pay Micah [Parsons]" chants. The EDGE, of course, is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract this season. Jones must not have been listening. He gave tight end Jake Ferguson a new contract instead. Dallas and the 26-year-old pass-catcher agreed to a four-year, $52M contract extension, via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. This move seems head-scratching. Parsons has won the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned two first-team All-Pro nods since the Cowboys took him with pick No. 12 in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 26-year-old EDGE also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Ferguson, meanwhile, is solid but not elite. In three seasons with the Cowboys, the 2022 fourth-round pick has made one Pro Bowl and has never finished with more than 761 receiving yards in a season. An extension for Parsons will devour future cap space. The Cowboys may be worried about that after giving quarterback Dak Prescott (four years, $240M) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (four years, $136M) long-term deals in 2024. Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt signed a lucrative three-year, $123M extension on July 17, making him the league's highest-paid non-QB. Parsons could command a similar contract. If cap space is Dallas' primary concern, however, why would it extend Ferguson? He's now set to be the NFL's seventh-highest-paid TE. The Cowboys waited to extend Lamb and Prescott just before the start of the 2024 season. They may be doing the same with Parsons. The star defender has said, "Ownership is always gonna make [contract negotiations] drag out." Regardless, the Cowboys should've paid Parsons before Ferguson. That's a much bigger priority for the team.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Mariners' Cal Raleigh makes history with 40th home run
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh clubbed his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels, not only extending his major league lead but also making him the first player in baseball to reach the 40-home run mark this season. It also helped him make some history. With his 40th home run, Raleigh became both the first catcher and the first switch-hitter in baseball history to reach the 40 home run mark before the end of July. Here is a look at his 40th home run. He is already in the process of having one of the best seasons ever for a Mariners player, and also one of the best seasons ever for a catcher, for any team. Especially when you add in his defense, where he is one of the best defensive catchers in the league. His only serious competition for the American League MVP Award remains New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. But with Judge sidelined for some time now due to an elbow injury, it might open the door for Raleigh to put himself in the lead for that award.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
