Game recognizes game: Clark, Bueckers full of respect in 1st WNBA showdown

INDIANAPOLIS - Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers will always be intertwined.

The future WNBA All-Star guards battled on the AAU circuit and came through the USA Basketball pipeline together, leading the Stars and Stripes to gold medals at the 2017 FIBA U16 AmeriCup and 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

After headlining a stacked 2020 recruiting class, Clark and Bueckers went on to enjoy decorated collegiate careers at Iowa and UConn, respectively.

Now, both are leading their clubs into new eras after being selected first overall in the WNBA draft.

Clark helped the Indiana Fever snap their seven-year playoff drought during her rookie campaign. Meanwhile, Bueckers' strong play is fueling the Dallas Wings' playoff push following a 1-11 start to her debut season.

Bueckers' early success comes as no surprise to Clark, who sees the same player she competed against and played alongside growing up.

"She takes what the game gives her," Clark told theScore before her first pro matchup against Bueckers. "Her (mid-range jumper) has always been as nice as it's been this year. She just plays way older than she is. She's confident. She's smooth. She does everything at a high level. Can score from all three levels. And that's how she's always played.

"That's obviously translated really well, and everybody knew that it would. ... She's never going to force anything. I think it's always been that, and she's just continued to stay true to that."

Bueckers was also complimentary of Clark, expressing respect for how the former Iowa star has handled the constant spotlight and expectations put upon her with grace.

But once the ball is tipped, the only thing on Bueckers' mind is doing whatever's necessary to win.

"We're competitors, but we're also friends," Bueckers told theScore pregame. "We root for each other. We want the best for each other. But when we step in between the lines, we're competing and we're trying to beat each other. ... It's a friendship between competition."

Clark and Bueckers didn't waste any time leaving their imprint on Sunday's nationally-televised matchup, which saw the Fever prevail 102-83 over the Wings.

Clark knocked down a triple within the game's first minute before Bueckers answered with a 13-foot jumper a few possessions later.

Both players tallied seven points and two assists each in a tightly-contested opening frame.

However, Indiana broke things open with a dominant second-quarter performance, outscoring Dallas 36-15 and setting a new franchise record for points in a half (64).

Clark propelled Indiana on both ends of the floor. The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year had five dimes in the second frame, delivering hit-ahead passes in stride to her teammates in transition. She used her gravity on drives to set up Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston on a pair of dump-offs.

Clark also added a massive block on Wings rookie JJ Quinerly and had two of her career-high-tying five steals in the second quarter.

Clark continued to make a defensive impact in the second half, picking off Bueckers on a pair of occasions in an uncharacteristic four-turnover afternoon for the former UConn standout.

"I still feel like I could've taken care of the ball better," Bueckers told theScore postgame. "Making the right read out of the trap, out of them sending a double (team), and then playing to that advantage. ... (Clark's) just a very smart basketball player, so she'll get out and deny passing lanes."

Bueckers still managed to lead all players with 21 points, demonstrating the same efficiency that made her a household name in college.

The Minnesota native showed off her entire offensive repertoire. She made a turnaround jumper in the post, created separation from defenders in the mid-range, flashed her 3-point range with a pair of makes from deep, and finished through contact at the basket.

Bueckers kept her teammates involved, too, finding center Yi Leuru in the pick-and-pop and Quinerly on a backdoor cut. Even with the Wings down 21 points late in the third quarter, Bueckers continued to lead by example, closing out on Fever reserve Sophie Cunningham and subsequently taking a charge.

"I've always been a fan of hers and always been supportive," Clark said of Bueckers. "I watch as much as I can just because I love basketball. I love people who can compete and make their team better, and that's what she's always been able to do.

"I just admire the way she plays. I admire the confidence she has in herself. Every single night, she steps up to the challenge. She doesn't shy away from anything. As a competitor, that's what you really love. I think that's honestly what I appreciate the most."

The future of the WNBA is in great hands with Clark and Bueckers at the forefront.

A sold-out crowd of 17,274 was on hand at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse, with many young girls holding up signs and jerseys by the players' tunnel pregame in hopes of securing an autograph.

Over 20,000 fans are expected when the Fever and Wings square off Aug. 1 at American Airlines Center - the home venue of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.

Clark and Bueckers pushed each other long ago as teenagers, and now they're hoping to elevate women's basketball to new heights together.

"To be able to live out our dreams in the WNBA and then continue to keep competing against each other. Continue to keep bringing the best out of each other. It's a dream come true," Bueckers said. "Anytime we can compete against each other, it's the highest form of respect."