Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever get 1st win of season against LA Sparks
LOS ANGELES - The Indiana Fever came to Los Angeles on a mission and secured their first win this season in a close game against the Sparks.
As fans began making their way into the Crypto.com Arena ahead of the Sparks’ first home game in downtown Los Angeles, the amount of Caitlin Clark t-shirts and jerseys could not be missed in what is normally a sea of purple and gold.
A father and his daughter from the Inland Empire made the trip to downtown LA to see Caitlin Clark. (Kelli Johnson KTTV)
(Kelli Johnson KTTV)
Friday night’s game against the Fever was set to be a rookie showdown and marked Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson’s debut at the downtown arena. Of course, it was also Clark’s highly-anticipated LA debut.
LA Sparks forwards Rickea Jackson (2) and Cameron Brink (22) (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink to meet in LA Sparks’ 1st game at Crypto.com Arena this season
- Los Angeles Sparks take Cameron Brink from Stanford with No. 2 pick
- Los Angeles Sparks take Rickea Jackson, from Tennessee, with fourth overall pick of WNBA Draft
What was once known as Staples Center was undergoing renovations, so the Sparks played their first three home games at the Walter Pyramid on the California State University - Long Beach campus.
SUGGESTED: LA Sparks to host games at Crypto.com Arena ahead of schedule
Clark's games in college and the pros have garnered millions of views. Amid the hype, it was a packed house in downtown LA. During the video intros, Clark was welcomed by thunderous applause.
While the focus was on the rookies, there were other standouts on the court. Indiana's Aliyah Boston came in clutch, along with Temi Fagbenle and Kelsey Mitchell. The trio finished the game in double figures.
(Getty Images)
So, how did Clark do? In 37 minutes, she had 11 points and went 4-for-14 from the floor.
Still, the Fever prevailed and won 78-73.
LA continues to endure growing pains amid a rebuilding period and will continue to rely on the experience and leadership veterans such as Kia Nurse, Lexie Brown and Dearica Hamby bring.
The LA Sparks are now 1-3.