She’s been on the biggest stage of college basketball (twice, actually). But Caitlin Clark had only one shot at her WNBA debut.
The Fever played the Sun to begin the 2024 season. It was be in front of a sold-out crowd nonetheless, though that’s never phased the Clark before. Indiana’s two preseason games gave a glimpse into what Clark and Co. are capable of this season.
It was a new season, however, as the Fever lost by 21 points. Clark started slow, scoring just seven in the first quarter. While it didn’t seem impressive at first, she had a much better second half to finish with 20 points against the Sun, a team high against one of the toughest defenses in the league.
See how Clark’s opening game ranks among the WNBA’s best debut performances, which includes greats like Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.
MORE: Highlights from Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut in Fever vs. Sun
Most points scored in WNBA debut
There’s no one better suited to top the list than Candace Parker.
The 2008 WNBA Rookie and Player of the Year scored a whopping 34 points for the Sparks’ win over the Mercury. She made it a double-double by adding 12 rebounds and even recorded eight assists.
Beating Parker’s record seems like an impossible task. But can Clark come close and pass Napheesa Collier? Drafted in 2019, the Lynx star scored 27 points and six rebounds in her debut against the Sky.
Interestingly enough, only a few of the top 12 players were selected first overall in their respective draft – Parker, Breanna Stewart and Taurasi. Only the latter two still play in the league.
| Rank | Player | Points | Team (Year) |
| 1 | Candace Parker | 34 | Sparks (2008) |
| 2 | Napheesa Collier | 27 | Lynx (2019) |
| 3 | Cynthia Cooper | 25 | Comets (1997) |
| 4 | Dawn Staley | 23 | Sting (1999) |
| Tamika Catchings | 23 | Fever (2001) | |
| Stacey Dales | 23 | Mystics (2002) | |
| Breanna Stewart | 23 | Storm (2016) | |
| 8 | Razija Brcaninovic | 22 | Shock (1998) |
| Edna Campbell | 22 | Mercury (1999) | |
| Tamara Moore | 22 | Sol (2002) | |
| Diana Taurasi | 22 | Mercury (2004) | |
| Elena Delle Donne | 22 | Sky (2013) |
(via Across the Timeline)
