Home NBA “It was just really fun,” Clark says after scoring 17

“It was just really fun,” Clark says after scoring 17

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Cover page of Time Magazine featuring Caitlin Clark as Athlete of the Year

Caitlin Clark scores 17 in Chicago

Caitlin Clark scored 17 points for Team Spoon in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 at the United Center in Chicago. Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122 before an All-Star-record crowd of 19,783.

Clark added 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal while shooting 6-of-17 from the field. She went 5-of-15 from 3-point range in her return to the league’s annual showcase.

A basketball going through a hoop

Caitlin Clark opens from long range

Caitlin Clark scored 11 of Team Spoon’s first 13 points, starting with a steal and layup before making 3 straight 3-pointers. CBS Sports’ play-by-play listed those makes at 34, 33, and 34 feet.

Clark added 2 more 3-pointers later and finished 5-of-15 from beyond the arc. Her opening burst helped Team Spoon take a 13-9 lead over Team Coop early in the first quarter.

Basketball with embossed WNBA text

Caitlin Clark enjoys All-Star return

Caitlin Clark said the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game was “just really fun” after missing the 2025 event in Indianapolis because of a groin injury. She said wearing the uniform, competing in an All-Star Game, and playing before the record Chicago crowd made the night special.

The appearance marked Clark’s first true WNBA All-Star Game between 2 drafted All-Star teams. Her 2024 All-Star debut came in an Olympic-year format, when Team WNBA faced the U.S. Olympic team at Footprint Center in Phoenix before the Paris Games.

Basketball hoop with ball

Caitlin Clark earns third selection

Caitlin Clark earned her third consecutive WNBA All-Star selection during her third professional season. Indiana selected the Iowa guard with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft after her record-setting college career.

Indiana produced 3 All-Star starters for the first time in franchise history. Clark and Aliyah Boston represented Team Spoon, while Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell started for Team Coop during Chicago’s league showcase on July 25.

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Caitlin Clark joins record crowd

The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game drew 19,783 spectators to the United Center, setting an attendance record for the event. Caitlin Clark praised the crowd while discussing the league’s 30th season after Team Spoon’s victory in Chicago.

The announced crowd nearly filled the 20,000-seat Chicago arena and surpassed every previous WNBA All-Star Game total. Spectators watched Team Spoon defeat Team Coop 129-122 during the league’s annual midseason showcase on Saturday night.

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Caitlin Clark sees Jones win MVP

Jonquel Jones earned WNBA All-Star MVP honors after recording 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists for Team Spoon. The New York Liberty center shot 8-of-17 from the field, went 4-of-11 from 3-point range, and made both of her free throws.

Jones became the first WNBA player to win league MVP, WNBA Finals MVP, Commissioner’s Cup MVP, and All-Star Game MVP. Her balanced performance helped Team Spoon secure a 129-122 victory over Team Coop in Chicago.

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Caitlin Clark faces Kelsey Mitchell

Kelsey Mitchell scored a game-high 28 points for Team Coop while facing Fever teammate Caitlin Clark as an All-Star opponent. The Indiana teammates combined for 45 points and 10 made 3-pointers while representing opposing teams in Chicago.

Mitchell added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals while shooting 11-of-19 from the field and 5-of-11 from 3-point range. The All-Star draft format paired Fever teammates on opposite rosters after both were voted starters.

Basketball in the hoop

Caitlin Clark sees Malonga dunk

Dominique Malonga completed a dunk for Team Coop during the second quarter of the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game. The 20-year-old Seattle Storm center finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 made field goals on 17 attempts.

Malonga recorded a double-double while shooting 6-of-17 from the floor. Her dunk came with 6:24 remaining in the first half after an assist from Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese during Team Coop’s possession.

Basketball players in action

Caitlin Clark joins scoring showcase

Team Spoon and Team Coop combined for 251 points and attempted 127 shots from 3-point range. Team Spoon built an 81-64 halftime lead before completing a 129-122 victory at the United Center.

Team Spoon shot 49.5% from the field and recorded 42 assists on 53 made baskets. Team Coop received 28 points from Kelsey Mitchell, 23 from Marina Mabrey, and 18 from Gabby Williams during the loss.

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Caitlin Clark enters break in form

Caitlin Clark reached the All-Star break averaging 21.0 points, 7.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds through 23 regular-season appearances. Her 43.5% field-goal rate was the highest mark of her first 3 WNBA seasons.

Clark scored 27 points and recorded 11 assists against Connecticut on July 22. Indiana won 123-88, securing its 3rd consecutive victory and improving to 17-10 before the break.

NBA All-Star logo

Caitlin Clark leads Indiana’s offense

Indiana entered the All-Star break with a 17-10 record and ranked fifth across the full WNBA standings. The Fever averaged a league-leading 95.5 points through their first 27 regular-season games during the 2026 campaign overall.

Clark led Indiana with 7.9 assists per game through 23 appearances. Kelsey Mitchell averaged a team-high 23.3 points, while Aliyah Boston contributed 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest before the WNBA midseason break began.

Basketball with embossed WNBA text

Caitlin Clark returns after injuries

Caitlin Clark missed the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis because of a groin injury, keeping her from competing before the Fever’s home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Clark played 23 regular-season games before the 2026 break and earned her 3rd consecutive All-Star selection. After the Chicago contest, she said wearing the uniform and competing in an All-Star Game remained special.

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Full basketball hall on a league game night

Caitlin Clark prepares for Seattle

Indiana was scheduled to resume its season against the Seattle Storm on July 28 at Climate Pledge Arena. The 9:30 p.m. ET contest was set to begin a 3-game road trip through Seattle, Portland, and Minnesota.

The Fever entered the matchup at 17-10 and fifth in WNBA.com’s overall standings. Indiana had won 3 consecutive games before the All-Star break and was 7-3 over its previous 10 games entering the scheduled visit from Seattle.

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Did Caitlin Clark’s 17-point All-Star return show her best value as a scorer, passer, or crowd attraction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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