Getty Image / Justin Casterline
When Indiana Fever guard and college hoops legend Caitlin Clark wasn’t picked for the USA Women’s Basketball Olympic Team, many people thought it was a ridiculous snub. While that could be debated back and forth until the end of time, it may have been in her best interests to miss the Olympics.
After a month-long break to allow WNBA players to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Caitlin Clark looked to be completely rejuvenated on Friday night in the Fever’s first game out of the Olympic break.
The Fever took on three Team USA members that recently won the gold medal in Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Kaleah Copper. But, she was the best player on the court all night, dazzling a sold-out crowd.
Caitlin Clark in the first game back from the Olympic break:
29 PTS
5 REBS
10 AST
8/16 FG
4/11 3PT9th game this season with 20+ PTS • 5+ REB • 5+ AST. The 2nd most in a single season ever, forget rookie of the year this is 1st team All WNBA.pic.twitter.com/bJcye2SgXf
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 17, 2024
That’s a monster performance and it was part of really solid performance for the Fever. They got out to a 33-16 lead after the first quarter and never relinquished that league for a crucial win over a solid team.
It’s not as if Caitlin Clark had a bad first half of the season, and she had really found her groove prior to the break. But, there were signs of fatigue littered throughout the first two months of the season.
Caitlin Clark had been playing pretty much nonstop since official practice opened for the Iowa Hawkeyes last fall. Iowe advanced all the way to the National Championship Game. The WNBA Draft was just a week after that, and between press appearances and getting ready for the season, she didn’t have much time to rest.
But, she got to do some normal human things over the break, and was even spotted grocery shopping. I’m sure that her legs feel much better after a month off to rest.
Strangely, the Fever play again on Sunday against the Seattle Storm, and then don’t play again until next Saturday. That rest is only going to pay dividends and helps balance out the front-loaded schedule the Fever had to play at the beginning of the year. As the Fever inch back into playoff contention, that rest for Caitlin Clark and her teammates will be crucial.