Wings vs. Fever Features Major Caitlin Clark Pregame Announcement from Dallas’ Sold-Out AAC

DALLAS - One of the most anticipated matchups of the WNBA season tips off tonight as the Dallas Wings host the Indiana Fever at 6:30 p.m. CST at a sold-out American Airlines Center.

An early thought?

The marquee matchup could feature three No. 1 overall WNBA Draft picks in Paige Bueckers (2025) and Caitlin Clark (2024), and Aliyah Boston (2023)—though Clark’s status remained uncertain for a time as she deals with a groin injury.

And now the official announcement. Clark is out.

Bueckers and Clark faced off against each other twice in their collegiate careers, but this will potentially be the first time they face each other as pros. Bueckers and the UConn Huskies got the best of the Iowa Hawkeyes in both matchups during the 2021 and 2024 NCAA tournaments.

Wings head coach Chris Koclanes was approaching tonight’s game with the mindset that Clark will be available.

"You go in preparing for [Clark] to be there. And then you adjust accordingly," Koclanes said yesterday. "I know they've just signed Aari McDonald back. And we'll see a lot of her tonight, so we'll get a good look at what that might look like if [Clark] doesn't play [against] us.

"So we have the benefit of watching them play tonight without her, but you go in preparing for Caitlin to be on the floor, and you adjust.”

The Wings have played inspired basketball as of late, winning three of their last four games. However, Dallas will be without starting guard DiJonai Carrington tonight due to a rib injury.

The 4–12 Wings will look to build on their momentum as they aim to turn their season around sooner rather than later. … and the absence of Clark will help that cause.