Just in: Caitlin Clark’s preseason home debut has been pushed back one day.

Just in: Caitlin Clark’s preseason home debut has been pushed back one day.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana Fever announced on Friday that Caitlin Clark will make her preseason home debut one day sooner than planned.

Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever jersey becomes top-selling jersey for a draft  pick

The original plan was for Indiana to host the Atlanta Dream on May 10. The new date of the game is Thursday.

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks both advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs on Thursday night after winning Game 6 of their respective series. This caused a schedule clash. Then, on May 10 at 7 p.m., league authorities announced that the two clubs would play Game 3 at Indiana, the same day and time as the Fever and Dream.

The Gainbridge Fieldhouse serves as the home arena for both Indiana teams.

According to Fever officials, the rescheduled game will be broadcast on the WNBA app, and tickets purchased on May 10 will still be valid.

Dallas will host Clark’s first-ever professional game on Friday night. Indiana plays its first home game against New York on May 16 and its first road game against Connecticut on May 14.

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WNBA Power Rankings 2024: After selecting Caitlin Clark, where are the Fever now?

theScore | First look at Caitlin Clark in her Fever jersey. 🔥 [via  @indianafever] | Instagram

With the addition of star Caitlin Clark, how will the Indiana Fever perform in the WNBA this season?

Ahead of the 2024 WNBA season, clubs will be introducing new lineups and making calculated moves to secure the championship. After the draft dust has cleared and training camps are in full swing, we break down how each team compares. Will the Fever stir things up with Caitlin Clark, or will the Aces maintain their dominance? Here is a summary of each team’s position in our WNBA power rankings for the preseason.

1. Aces of Las Vegas
The overwhelming favorites to win three straight titles this season are the Las Vegas Aces, the current champions. The Aces still have a formidable core in A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, even with Candace Parker’s announcement of retirement. Their championship-winning roster’s longevity and depth contribute to their strength. They are the squad to defeat because of their seasoned leadership and strong teamwork.

2.New York Liberty
In an attempt to continue their successful run from the previous season, in which they finished with an outstanding 32-8 record before losing to the Aces in the 2023 WNBA Championship, the New York Liberty has returned with their potent roster, which includes Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. The team’s depth may be impacted by the off-season losses of Marine Johannes and Stef Dolson, although rookie Marquesha Davis, who was selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft, appears to have promise. The Liberty have a chance to upend the Aces’ championship narrative if they can maintain the momentum from last season.

3. The Seattle Storm

With a dramatic rebuild and the addition of elite talent to their squad, the Seattle Storm are back in the running for the championship right away. The squad is undergoing a significant change as a result of the addition of All-Stars Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike, with the goal of building a great team around veteran jewel Jewell Loyd.

In order to complement Loyd’s scoring prowess, this rejuvenated Storm team hopes to combine the skill of Diggins-Smith’s playmaking with Ogwumike’s supremacy in the paint. The group’s synergy and wealth of collective expertise could help Seattle return to winning ways and relive the excitement of their championship runs in 2018 and 2020.

4. Mercury Phoenix
This season, the Phoenix Mercury are poised to mount a strong return thanks to roster additions made with purpose. The squad has added a lot of talent to its roster, including Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper, with the goal of helping Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi reach their previous level of success. Rebecca Allen, who joined the team last season and brings versatility and sharpshooting to match the Mercury’s explosive playstyle, is another acquisition that strengthens the group.

The Mercury had a rare miss in the playoffs last year, but their ambitious summer signings show that they are committed to making a run at it. The team’s mix of new skill and experience will allow them to compete with the best in the league, especially with a healthy Griner back at full strength and Taurasi leading the charge.

5. Sun of Connecticut
Prior to the WNBA season, the Connecticut Sun strengthened their squad by re-signing two essential All-Stars, Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner, guaranteeing the team’s status as a top contender. Despite suffering a season-ending Achilles injury the previous season, Jones has been a vital member of the Sun, averaging a career-high 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

In addition, Bonner, who is renowned for her flexibility and scoring ability, re-signed with the Sun after choosing to stay despite interest from other teams. Bonner played every game and averaged 17.4 points per game the previous season, demonstrating her tenacity and significance to the team’s approach.

The Sun have also added smart players to their roster. Former UConn star Moriah Jefferson was signed, while guard Tiffany Mitchell was traded for, strengthening the backcourt after Tiffany Hayes and Natisha Heideman left. Shey Peddy, a seasoned point guard, was also signed to a training camp contract, which might provide the point guard position more depth.

6. Dallas Wings

The re-signing of center Kalani Brown and the addition of seasoned forward Emma Cannon are the two biggest roster additions as the Dallas Wings get ready for a successful year. Playing a career-high 32 games, Brown was a key member of the Wings’ frontcourt in the previous campaign. Her and Teaira McCowan’s relationship provided Dallas one of the strongest frontlines in the league, which was crucial to their playoff run the previous season.

With her WNBA and international career, Emma Cannon brings a wealth of knowledge and versatility to the Wings. The Wings intend to build on their success from the previous season with these strategic signings, which also include keeping Stephanie Soares and Satou Sabally.

7. Fever in Indiana
The choice of Caitlin Clark has the Fever in the throes of change. If history is any guide, Clark’s combination with Aliyah Boston, the rookie star from the previous season, might reshape the team’s future. In the WNBA, receiving back-to-back first-overall selections is highly significant. For instance, Seattle won a championship in 2004 after selecting Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson in the first and second rounds, respectively, in 2001 and 2002. In a similar vein, the Las Vegas Aces’ two straight first-round selections in 2018 and 2019 resulted in a title by 2022.

The Fever demonstrated initiative during the free agency period by acquiring the services of veteran forwards Damiris Dantas and Katie Lou Samuelson. Known for her accurate shooting, Samuelson, who set a career best in three-point shooting percentage when playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, provides the Fever with a much-needed perimeter threat. Dantas, who is making her WNBA comeback, will enhance Boston’s inside presence in the frontcourt with her versatility and experience.

Further evidence of the Fever’s intention to assemble a strong and competitive roster comes with the signing of Temi Fagbenle, who turned down a qualifying offer for a contract that includes training camp. Experienced center Fagbenle gives the team’s interior lineup more size and skill, which improves their choices in the paint.

Caitlin Clark's Nike Fever jersey won't ship to fans until August — 3  months after season starts | Fox Business

8. Lynx  Minnesota
The off-season acquisition of experienced guard Courtney Williams by the Minnesota Lynx is indicative of their serious commitment to improving their backcourt. Williams, who is renowned for her ability to score and create plays, is anticipated to infuse the Lynx with new life after an impressive season with the Chicago Sky.

Williams is joined by forward Ruthy Hebard, who is signed to a training camp contract, in strengthening the Lynx roster. Hebard, a 2021 WNBA champion Chicago Sky player, will be vying for a more stable position in Minnesota where he can add significant depth to the frontcourt.

Alissa Pili, who gives the Lynx’s frontcourt even more depth and promise, was another noteworthy draft choice. Pili is a hopeful addition to the Lynx roster because of her college career, which demonstrated her ability to play well on both sides of the court.

The team’s core is strengthened by these additions, which enhance the skills of rising star Diamond Miller and franchise cornerstone Napheesa Collier.

9. Atlanta Dream

In an effort to advance up the league standings, the Atlanta Dream strengthened their team considerably during the WNBA offseason. The team is excited about the signing of guard Jordin Canada and former MVP Tina Charles, which will pave the way for a historic 2024 campaign.

Canada, who won two WNBA titles with the Storm, is praised for her ability to create plays and play defense. It is considered a huge victory for the Dream because Canada has arrived in Atlanta through a sign-and-trade agreement, following an outstanding career-high scoring spell with the Los Angeles Sparks.

Along with Charles, the 2012 WNBA MVP and seasoned veteran, the Dream gains access to his abundance of knowledge and scoring prowess.

The Dream added unrestricted free agent Aerial Powers to further strengthen their roster. Powers, who is well-known for her adaptability and scoring prowess, gives the Dream’s starting lineup—which includes Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in 2022—more depth and experience. Powers’ 2019 Washington Mystics championship experience instills a winning mentality on a club anxious to move up the standings.

10. The Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks added a big piece to their roster in the draft when they selected Rickea Jackson at number four and Cameron Brink at number two. It is anticipated that Brink, a formidable figure from Stanford, will have an immediate effect. She was a standout scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker in college, demonstrating her ability to impact the game on both sides of the court.

This season, Kia Nurse also joins the Sparks; her versatility and experience will be invaluable to the club as they want to improve on their 17-23 record from the previous campaign.

The Sparks also re-signed guard Lexie Brown, who averaged 12.4 points and 2.4 assists during his successful season. Her continuous presence will give the squad consistency and a trustworthy goal scorer.

Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever jersey becomes Fanatics' best-ever seller for  a draft pick | Daily Mail Online

11. Sky Chicago
This season, the Chicago Sky are going through a transition as they concentrate on rebuilding and incorporating young, talented players. The Sky took a different turn for the better after trading franchise hero Kahleah Copper to the Mercury. The Sky are placing more emphasis on the growth of their most recent draft selections, No. 3 Kamilla Cardoso and No. 7 Angel Reese, in her place. Both players have the potential to play key roles in the team’s future.

Reese, who is renowned for her flexibility and rebounding ability, and Cardoso, a strong presence in the paint, are anticipated to provide fresh blood and vitality to the starting lineup. As the Sky attempt to recover from a season that concluded with a first-round playoff exit, their development will be essential.

In addition, the veteran point guard Lindsay Allen, who was previously with the Minnesota Lynx, was signed by the Sky to strengthen their backcourt. Celebrated for her consistent playmaking, Allen is expected to contribute depth and seasoned leadership.The recruitment of guard Chennedy Carter, who has explosive scoring potential, by the Sky was another potentially significant move.

12. The Mystics of Washington
The Washington Mystics are going through a transitional season following some notable roster losses, such as the retirement of Elena Delle Donne from the game. The Mystics have taken calculated actions to maintain their competitiveness in spite of these obstacles. The signing of promising youngster Aaliyah Edwards in the 2024 WNBA Draft shows the team’s dedication to rebuilding and bringing in fresh blood.

The team’s adaptability under head coach Mike Thibault will be crucial, even though this season may be more about development and forging a new identity. In order to prepare for a gradual resurgence of their previous strengths in upcoming seasons, the Mystics prioritize the development of their youthful talents while maintaining their competitiveness.

 

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