Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark delivered a commanding performance against the New York Liberty on June 14, marking her return from a 19-day injury absence with a scintillating display. Clark’s dominant WNBA performance against Liberty earned widespread attention as she scored 32 points, including seven three-pointers, showcasing why she is one of the league’s most electrifying players.

In 31 minutes on the court, Clark converted 11 of 20 shots, drained 7-of-15 from beyond the arc, and contributed nine assists alongside eight rebounds. Guarded by Natasha Cloud, a respected defender known for her lockdown defense, Clark still managed to take control of the game, igniting the Fever’s offense and thrilling the home crowd. The matchup between these two stars highlighted Clark’s prowess and the challenge defenders face when containing her shooting range.

The Challenge of Defending Caitlin Clark: Natasha Cloud’s Perspective

Natasha Cloud’s reputation as a top defender was solidified in an earlier encounter with Clark on May 24, when she successfully limited her impact. However, during their June 14 clash, Cloud struggled to contain Clark’s shooting onslaught. Speaking on a June 15 TikTok live, Cloud candidly addressed the toughest part of guarding Clark, emphasizing her deep shooting ability.

When she crosses half court she can shoot that shyt

—Natasha Cloud, Liberty Guard

This blunt admission underscored how daunting Clark’s shooting range is for defenders. Early in the first quarter, Clark unleashed a series of deep three-pointers recently becoming her trademark, rapidly piling on eight points within just 40 seconds and placing the defense under immense pressure. Cloud’s remark captures the unique difficulty faced when trying to keep Clark from scoring from long range, as her ability to launch shots from well beyond the three-point line leaves opponents with few answers.

Incident Spotlight: Natasha Cloud’s Foul on Clark Clarified by ESPN Analyst

During the Fever-Liberty game, a notable physical moment occurred when Natasha Cloud committed a foul on Caitlin Clark. While Clark attempted to navigate a screen set by Kelsey Mitchell with about four minutes left in the second quarter, Cloud’s effort to “swim-move” over the screen resulted in Clark being struck in the face by the ball. The foul was called a personal foul against Cloud.

Rebecca Lobo, an ESPN commentator, later analyzed the play and dismissed any notion that the foul was motivated by jealousy, a rumor circulating in some fan conversations surrounding Clark’s rising star.

Natasha Cloud trying to swim-move over the screen, accidentally gets Caitlin hit in the face. Got her on the upswing. There’s no jealousy there, fans. Just a basketball foul.

—Rebecca Lobo, ESPN Commentator

This clarification highlighted the physical intensity of WNBA competition and countered narratives of personal animosity, reflecting a focus on basketball fundamentals rather than interpersonal drama. Despite ongoing discussions suggesting some players may harbor frustration over Clark’s success as the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Lobo’s remarks aimed to keep attention on the sport’s competitive nature.

The Impact of Caitlin Clark’s Return on WNBA Viewership and the “CC Effect”

Caitlin Clark’s comeback to the court also coincided with a historic rise in WNBA viewership numbers. The Fever-Liberty game set a record as the most-watched WNBA matchup ever, drawing 20.9 million viewers, a testament to Clark’s growing influence on the league. This milestone, often referred to as the “CC Effect,” was amplified by the high-profile nature of the game, which was part of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty game was the most-watched game in WNBA history, with 20.9 million viewers.(via: @WNBAonESPN) | #IndianaFever #WNBA

—Indiana Fever Official Twitter

The intense duel between Clark and rival star Sabrina Ionescu added to the excitement, with both players scoring 30 points in a thrilling contest that ended with Indiana handing New York its first loss after a franchise-best nine-game winning streak. The game not only elevated the Fever’s profile but also drew massive attention nationwide, signaling a surge in fan engagement driven largely by Clark’s electrifying playstyle.

Looking Ahead: Key Matchups and Anticipated Showdowns

After dominating this home game, Clark and the Fever will face the Liberty in New York on July 16. This upcoming matchup offers Cloud another chance to adjust her defensive strategy and attempt to slow down Clark in a high-stakes environment. Their building rivalry is expected to attract considerable attention given Clark’s recent success and Cloud’s defensive acumen.

As Clark continues to showcase her ability to change games with her shooting and playmaking, this rivalry will remain central to the WNBA narrative this season. The growing anticipation around these games reflects Clark’s status as one of the league’s most thrilling talents and the challenges she creates for defenders like Cloud.