Caitlin Clark scores first ever points for Indiana Fever in WNBA preseason debut with signature three-pointer in front of sold-out crowd

Caitlin Clark officially announced herself on the WNBA stage as she scored her first points in an Indiana Fever jersey Friday night. 

The No. 1 overall draft pick started for the Fever in their first preseason game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. 

While Clark's official debut in the league has yet to come, the former Iowa superstar announced her presence in the WNBA as she notched her first points as a professional. 

Just a couple of minutes into the game, Clark found the net with a three-pointer, sending the sold-out crowd wild. 

She swiftly added to her tally, recording two more three-pointers within the first quarter. 

Last month, the college-basketball sensation was selected by Indiana with the No 1 pick at the 2024 WNBA Draft, which came a few weeks after she signed off her illustrious college career with a defeat in the NCAA Championship game for Iowa.

The all-time leading NCAA points scorer was unable to inspire the Hawkeyes to victory against South Carolina, meaning she waved goodbye to college basketball on a sad note.

However, after breaking record after record in Iowa, her focus now is on replicating that success in the big league with the Fever.

She said after being picked by Indiana: 'It feels super special. Sitting at the table, kind of knowing where I was going, you still get a bit anxious when the commissioner walks out and says your name. 

'It's something I've dreamed of since I was in second grade. Being there at the table with my family was amazing and to share it with them was super special.'

Clark and the fever touched down in Dallas earlier on Friday but their arrival reignited discussion surrounding the treatment of WNBA players, as the Indiana Fever's No. 1 pick and her teammates stepped off a commercial flight prior to their game.

Per the league's collective bargaining agreement, which was negotiated in 2020 when Clark was still in school, WNBA teams primarily fly commercially to and from games - which differs from the NBA's policy of chartering planes.

Thus, it was striking to see Clark walking past the baggage claim at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, in footage posted to X by WFAA's Matt Howerton.

In response, many fans expressed their belief that Clark and her Fever teammates should be flying private.

Meanwhile, Clark's preseason home debut has been moved up a day earlier than initially scheduled, Fever officials announced Friday.

Indiana was initially scheduled to host the Atlanta Dream on May 10. The game will now be played Thursday.

The scheduling conflict occurred when the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks each advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs with Game 6 wins Thursday night. League officials then announced the two teams would play Game 3 at Indiana on May 10 at 7 p.m. - the same date and time the Fever and Dream were to play.

Both Indiana teams play in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Fever officials said tickets with the May 10 date will be valid for the rescheduled game and that the game will be shown on the WNBA app.

Clark's first professional game will be played Friday night at Dallas. Indiana opens the regular season May 14 at Connecticut and plays its first home game May 16 against New York.