Caitlin Clark Shines Bright in First Pro Duel with Paige Bueckers
What a moment in WNBA history we witnessed today. Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers—two of the most electric names in women’s basketball—finally faced off in their first official WNBA matchup, and it was Clark and the Indiana Fever who came out firing on all cylinders. The Fever pulled off a commanding 102-83 win over the Dallas Wings in front of a roaring home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 13, and this wasn’t just any win—it was a statement.
The highly anticipated showdown between Clark, the No. 1 pick from the 2024 draft, and Bueckers, the top selection from 2025, had been delayed due to a groin injury that kept Clark out of their scheduled June meeting. But Sunday delivered the fireworks fans hoped for. Indiana surged ahead thanks to a second-quarter explosion where they outscored Dallas 36-15. By halftime, the Fever held a 64-42 lead, the highest-scoring half by any WNBA team this season. It was a total team effort from Indiana, but Clark’s fingerprints were all over the court.
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Caitlin Clark finished the night with 14 points, a game-high 13 assists, five steals, and a block—crafting a well-rounded performance that set the pace for her team. Her court vision and tempo control were unmatched, and she dished out dime after dime to open teammates. While Bueckers poured in a game-high 21 points and gave Dallas an early spark, Indiana’s defensive strategy slowly tightened around her, making it hard for the Wings to recover after that punishing second quarter.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 20 points, followed by strong contributions from Natasha Howard (18), Aliyah Boston (17), and Sophie Cunningham (13). The balanced scoring and unselfish play turned the game into a showcase of chemistry and cohesion for Indiana. On the Wings’ side, Li Yueru added 16 points, with JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James contributing 13 and 11 respectively, but the collective effort wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
As the third quarter ended, Indiana still held a comfortable 84-63 lead. Clark had already locked in a double-double by then, further proving that she doesn't need to drop 30 points to dominate a game. It’s the maturity in her play—knowing when to shoot, when to pass, and how to direct traffic—that makes her a generational talent. And you could see it in every possession.
The atmosphere was electric. Even NBA star Tyrese Haliburton was spotted courtside, soaking in the energy. And while both Clark and Bueckers showed mutual respect—sharing a warm hug pregame—once the ball was tipped, it was all business.
This was more than a regular season WNBA game. It was a glimpse into the future of women’s basketball, led by two of its brightest stars. And on this day, Caitlin Clark walked away with the win, but more importantly, she reinforced why she’s quickly becoming the face of the league.
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