Recapping the WNBA's 28th season debut

The GIST: From the young fans in the stands to the superstars on the court, last night’s highly anticipated WNBA season premiere didn’t disappoint. And with league parity on the rise, there’s never been a better time to jump on the bandwagon.

Caitlin Clark struggles in Indiana Fever debut: Playing in front of a sold-out crowd (the Connecticut Sun’s first sellout since their home opener in 2003), Clark, the NCAA all-time leading scorer, sat for most of the first quarter after getting into early foul trouble while squaring up with Sun superstar and 2023 MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas.

• Clark grew more comfortable throughout the game, eventually reaching 20 points, but also recorded 10 turnovers. The WNBA learning curve is no joke.

• Thomas, meanwhile, recorded her ninth career triple-double in the 92–71 Sun win, while her fiancée DeWanna Bonner moved up to fifth on the W’s all-time scoring list with a 20-point performance. Now that’s a power couple.

Superteams surprised: Last season’s superteams, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and runners-up NY Liberty, didn’t exactly dominate in their respective season openers. The revamped Phoenix Mercury’s 20-year veteran Diana Taurasi drained seven threes to challenge Vegas, but the Aces eventually pulled away for an 89–80 win.

• Elsewhere, the Libs eked out an 85–80 dub over the Washington Mystics, but reigning MVP Breanna Stewart only scored eight points for NY, far below her usual double-digit production.

Up next: College hoops fans, rejoice and clear your calendars — tonight is all about the rookies. First, LSU alum Angel Reese makes her pro debut when her rebuilding Chicago Sky take on the Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. ET.

• Then the LA Sparks’ Rickea Jackson (Tennessee) and friend of The GIST Cameron Brink (Stanford) hit the court against the Atlanta Dream at 10 p.m. ET. It’s all happening.