Paige Bueckers, Wings stun Caitlin Clark, Fever in WNBA opener

The Dallas Wings stunned the Indiana Fever, 107-104, in the WNBA opener for both teams on Saturday at Gainbridge Arena in Indianapolis.

The Wings and Fever made WNBA history, as both scored 100 points or more for the first time in a season opener. Both teams finished with three players who scored 20 points or more, including Kelsey Mitchell, who had a game-high 30 points on 50% shooting.

Fever stars Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark had 23 points and 20 points, respectively. Clark's started slow, with eight points at halftime and battled through an apparent injury during the second half. The former Rookie of the Year also had seven assists.

"Just getting my back adjusted. Gets out of line pretty quickly. Other than that, I feel great," Clark said postgame of her injury.

Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 22 points, while Paige Bueckers and Odyssey Sims both added 20 points each."This game was rough. I'm not saying this was our best game, but we got the win," Ogunbowale said postgame to ESPN's Holly Rowe. "This is a really really good team. On a night that they're hitting more (shots), we might not get the win."

Wings and Fever make WNBA history

Saturday's Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever matchup is the first season opener in the history of the WNBA where both teams have scored 100 points or more.

Wings in foul trouble, Fever pushing for lead

The Dallas Wings are in some serious foul trouble as they hold just a one-point lead 101-100, with 1:32 remaining in the fourth. Both teams are shooting over 50% from the floor. However, the Wings have made four huge turnovers (including two five-second violations) down the stretch and put the Fever in the bonus.

Wings have lead over Fever, Caitlin Clark heats up

Dallas leads 88-86 over the Fever at the 7:11 mark of the fourth quarter. The two teams have continued to trade baskets, but something to keep an eye on is Caitlin Clark.

Clark has been in and out of the game, appearing to deal with an undisclosed injury. However, it hasn't stopped her from playing. She has 20 points and six assists despite an uncharacteristic four fouls. She is also now up to 1,000 career points.

End of 3Q: Wings 80, Fever 80

The Fever outscored the Wings 16-7 to open the quarter, including two 3-pointers from Caitlin Clark, to get back in the game. Clark, who had 10 points in the quarter, got the offense going with two quick 3s. She has 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and four rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell has 19 points and Aliyah Boston 18 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Five Wings are in double figures including starters Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers, Odyssey Sims and Jessica Shepard.

Caitlin Clark on the bench with back wrap

Caitlin Clark left the game in the third quarter with a possible injury. The third-year player went down the tunnel, back to the locker room, and ESPN's Holly Rowe reported she was being worked on on a trainer's table. Clark returned to the bench and put a wrap around her back.

Clark took the wrap off and checked back into the game with 17.6 seconds left in the third quarter. She scored on a nice spin move as time expired.

Clark played only 13 games last season after a series of soft tissue injuries. She did not play after aggravating an injury the game before the All-Star Game in July.

Wings are struggling with turnovers against the Fever

INDIANAPOLIS ― Turnovers on their last two possessions have given the Dallas Wings 12 for the game so far. That's one more than the Indiana Fever, one of the few times this entire game the Wings have had more miscues. ― Nancy Armour

Fever, Wings tied at the halfway point of the third quarter

At the 4:48 mark of the third quarter, it's a tied ball game. The Indiana Fever came out hot from halftime to even the game, 67-67. Fever guard Caitlin Clark has eight points in the quarter, pushing her up to 16 points on the day, as the Fever erases Dallas' nine-point lead. Clark assisted on 12 points of the Fever's 16 points in the period.

Caitlin Clark completes behind-the-back pass to Fever teammate

At the 7:03 mark of the third quarter, Caitlin Clark was dribbling into the paint, looking for someone to pass the ball to. She found Myisha Hines-Allen with a nifty behind-the-back pass. Hines-Allen finished the play with an easy layup.

Caitlin Clark drains first 3-pointer of season vs Wings

It didn't take long for Caitlin Clark to finally knock down her first 3-pointer of the 2026 season. It came at the 9:34 mark of the third quarter. She then drained another moments later at the 8:05 mark of the quarter.

Halftime: Wings 60, Fever 51

The Wings went on a 12-3 run to open up a nine-point lead at halftime. Wings guard Aziaha James punctuated the run with a silky corner 3-pointer over Caitlin Clark, who has eight points. She bounced the ball on the court in frustration as the Fever went to the locker room.

While Indiana's floor general has three assists, she also has four turnovers. As Clark appears to be struggling, so are the Fever without her production. Veteran Kelsey Mitchell has 15 points and Aliyah Boston has 12, but the rest of the team can't keep up with the Wings.

Dallas has three players in double figures, including Arike Ogunbowale (13 points) and Paige Bueckers, who has 10 points and a steal. Bueckers, who told ESPN's Holly Rowe she was "still getting my lungs," noted how the Wings are still working on chemistry with so many new pieces, but were able to keep up with the Fever despite the pace.

Wings, Fever tied in second quarter of WNBA season opener

At the 4:25 mark of the second quarter, the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever are tied at 40. The two teams are trading baskets as they jet up and down the court. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who was breathing hard on the bench during an in-game interview, pointed out how fast the pace was to the broadcast crew.

"Honestly, we're all just trying to catch our breath right now," Cunningham said. "This is how we wanna play. We just gotta catch our rhythm."

Wings rookie Azzi Fudd scores first WNBA points vs Fever

As if the basketball gods drew it up themselves, Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd scored her first WNBA points ― a corner 3-pointer ― at the 6:57 mark of the second quarter.

Wings forward Alanna Smith is already in foul trouble vs Fever

Alanna Smith is struggling to keep up with Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston. At the 8:19 mark of the second, Smith had to check out. She already had three fouls before halftime.

Wings vs Fever draws celebrities in Indianapolis

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Fever and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings and famous late-night TV host David Letterman are all in Indianapolis for Wings vs. Fever.

End of Q1: Wings 27, Fever 25

The Wings and Fever matchup has no shortage of offense. Both teams traded baskets and trips to the free-throw line, but it's Dallas that holds the slight edge after one quarter. The Wings lead 27-25 heading into the second.

Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell is already in double figures with 10 points on 83% shooting from the field. Caitlin Clark has six points and one assist. Odyssey Sims leads Dallas with eight points. Paige Bueckers added five points.

Rookie Fever guard Raven Johnson scores first WNBA points

Raven Johnson, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, scored her first points of the WNBA season and her career at the free throw line. Johnson sank two free throws at the 1:13 mark of the first quarter.

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd plays first minutes against Fever

At the 3:58 mark of the first quarter, Azzi Fudd subbed in for Arike Ogunbowale to play the first minutes of her WNBA career.

David Letterman is in the building for Wings vs Fever

Wings lead Fever in first quarter of WNBA season-opener

At the 3:58 mark of the first quarter, Dallas leads Indiana 17-16. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell leads all scorers with eight points. Wings guard Odyssey Sims has six points.

Caitlin Clark's first points of 2026 WNBA season not a 3-pointer

Shockingly, Caitlin Clark did not drain a signature 3-pointer for her first points of the 2026 season. Clark cut to the basket for an easy layup at the 8:17 mark in the first quarter. Aliyah Boston provided the assist to Clark.

Wings vs Fever matchup begins as WNBA opener games continue

The Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings matchup is underway. Kelsey Mitchell opened up the scoring for the Fever. Paige Bueckes connected on a 3-pointer to open the scoring for the Wings.

What time is Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings?

The Indiana Fever open the season against the Dallas Wings on Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings: TV, streaming

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT)
• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
• TV: ABC
• Stream: Disney+

Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale wears snakeskin shoes vs Fever

Fever coach challenges Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell

INDIANAPOLIS ― Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White can only do so much.

White has already challenged the Fever’s “Big Three” – Aliyah Boston, Catilin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell – to take ownership of this team. That’s what they do on the court, yes. But it’s also off the court, ensuring the whole team is communicating and has chemistry.

“It's when things aren't going your way. It's when things are going your way. It's holding each other accountable and the team accountable. It's lifting each other up, everyone in the team up,” White said.

“It's really having a pulse of what's going on, and making sure that they are comfortable, confident and empowered to do that is important.”

The message has already been received, and not just because White pulled the three aside after a recent practice. Looking back at the preseason loss to the Dallas Wings, Clark said one of the biggest problems was that the Fever wasn’t communicating. They were playing like individual players rather than a cohesive unit.

That has to change, she said.

“That's something we will continue to improve,” Clark said. “You really want to hammer that out in the beginning of the season, but it's going to take us a little bit of time.” ― Nancy Armour

Dallas Wings starters

Indiana Fever starters

The WNBA's last four No. 1 picks are getting loose

Caitlin Clark wears Rookie of the Year shoes before Wings matchup

Caitlin Clark is warming up in her custom Rookie of the Year shoes pregame. The shoes, created for Clark, who won the 2024 Rookie of the Year award, are based on a photo of her holding the Rookie of the Year trophy while wearing her red Fever uniform.

Fever coach Stephanie White explains Monique Billings' absence

INDIANAPOLIS ― Indiana Fever forward Monique Billings will not play against the Dallas Wings.

Billings had been listed as questionable with a right ankle injury but was downgraded to out before the game, a move Fever coach Stephanie White said was precautionary. 

"We want her to be 100% when she’s out there," White said before the game. "This is just overly cautious to make sure we don’t put her in any position to regress." ― Nancy Armour

Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd is mic'd up for Fever game

Indiana Fever center Aaliyah Boston is ready to go

Dallas Wings coach not taking Fever rematch lightly

INDIANAPOLIS ― The Dallas Wings were one of five WNBA teams to go undefeated in the preseason, handily beating both the Indiana Fever and the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

That doesn’t mean Wings coach Jose Fernandez is satisfied, however.

“I know it’s opening day, but I have really high standards for this crew,” he said.

The Fever were without Aliyah Boston when they played, and Fernandez said containing her around the basket will need to be a focus. He also pointed to the 22 turnovers the Wings had against the Fever, and said he hoped there wouldn’t be a repeat of that.

“We can’t give these guys extra possessions,” Fernandez said before the game.

But Fernandez is also realistic. Between injuries and players finishing up overseas commitments, Friday was the first time the Wings had the entire team together in the film room.

“Players really understood the pace we wanted to play at, what we wanted to do offensively,” Fernandez said. “Now we have to translate it to the regular season.” ― Nancy Armour

Caitlin Clark hands out life hacks before Wings matchup

INDIANAPOLIS ― Caitlin Clark can dish out life hacks as well as assists.

A reporter tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle a sneeze during her pregame availability on Saturday, May 9. Clark said, “Bless you,” then offered him a few tips.

“You don't want to hold it in. You’ve just got to look up at the light and it makes you sneeze,” Clark said. “It's a hack.” ― Nancy Armour

Monique Billings injury update: Fever forward ruled out

Indiana Fever forward Monique Billings (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Dallas Wings. Billings, who was injured during a Fever preseason matchup against Nigeria, was previously listed as questionable.

Myisha Hines-Allen is likely to take Billings' spot in the starting lineup.

Dallas Wings No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd has arrived

Paige Bueckers arrives for Fever game, Year 2 in the WNBA

Caitlin Clark arrives for Wings game, Year 3 of her WNBA career

Indiana Fever roster

*developmental player

Dallas Wings roster

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