Caitlin Clark helps Fever beat Liberty in the preseason in her 1st game with the team in 9 months

NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark was excited to get back on the court Saturday and play in a WNBA game, even if it was just the preseason.

Indiana’s star played in her first game for the Fever in nine months after injuries derailed her second season, limiting her to 13 games. She received a warm ovation from the crowd when she was introduced in the starting lineup.

Clark said she had some nerves, but they didn’t show early in Indiana’s 109-91 win over the New York Liberty. She scored the first basket of the game and then a couple of possessions later hit her signature step-back 3-pointer from deep. After making her first two shots, Clark missed her final eight of the game. She finished with seven points, four assists and three rebounds in just under 17 minutes of play.

“Honestly, my shot felt really good and I was missing long, which is what you want to see,” Clark told The Associated Press after the game. “But it felt good. I felt fast, so that was definitely a positive. I think I struggled in that area last year, but my body felt great. I felt like I was moving well. So overall really happy.”

Before the game Clark said she was happy to just be out there playing again.

“I think anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes you don’t take that for granted, especially after coming off last year when I didn’t get to do that very much,” she said.

Fever coach Stephanie White noticed a difference in Clark this preseason as opposed to her first two in the league.

“I think that’s the thing, watching her play with joy,” White said. “In practice her energy is different, she’s carrying herself in a different way.”

This wasn’t Clark’s first basketball game since suffering a season-ending injury last July. She played for USA Basketball in a World Cup qualifying tournament last month and earned Most Valuable Player honors.

“She was itchy and antsy before training camp started,” said White, who coached her in USA Basketball as well. “Glad she had those games with USA Basketball and came into training camp having played. … Now it’s fine tuning some of those things. She’s in a great place.”

While Clark played, a few of the Fever’s others didn’t. Aliyah Boston was out while still recovering from a lower-leg injury. Lexie Hull is also working her way through a hamstring issue.

White said both would have played if it was a regular-season game.

The Fever were also without Ty Harris (knee) and Damiris Dantas, who is not with the team yet.

New York was missing Rebecca Allen, Marine Fauthoux and Satou Sabally, who were out to build their fitness up. Sabally was the biggest offseason acquisition by the Liberty, signing as a free agent.

Leonie Fiebich, Raquel Carrera, Pauline Astier and Ugonne Onyiah weren’t with the Liberty yet as they were finishing up their overseas commitments.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball