Caitlin Clark was excited to return to the WNBA court Saturday — even if it was only a preseason game.

Saturday marked Clark’s first time playing in the WNBA in nine months after her second season ended prematurely because of various injuries. Clark was limited to only 13 games in 2025.

“Obviously this isn’t a real game,” Clark said ahead of the Fever’s 109-91 win against the Liberty at Barclays Center. “I understand that, but that’s how we treat it.”

Fittingly, Clark scored the first points of the game, draining a short-range floater. Moments later, she knocked in a stepback 3.

Overall, though, Clark struggled to maintain her groove.

She finished with seven points on 2-for-10 shooting and recorded three rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes.

The biggest difference between Clark now and a year ago is her joy, according to Fever coach Stephanie White.

“In practice, her energy is different,” White said. “She’s carrying herself in a different way.”

White noticed this when Clark was playing for USA Basketball in the World Cup qualifying tournament last month. That was Clark’s first real action since she suffered a season-ending injury in July.

“It was like you could tell she was a little itchy and antsy before training camp started,” White said. “And then Day 1 of training camp, it was like [a sigh of relief], ‘I can just breathe and I can play and I can enjoy this game again.’”

White believes Clark’s time with USA Basketball helped her settle into the Fever’s preseason quickly.

“I’m glad that she had those games with USA Basketball because she was coming to training camp having played, having had rhythm, timing,” White said. “And now it’s just fine-tuning some of those things. And she’s in a great place.”

As difficult as it may have been for Clark to watch her team from the sidelines for most of last season, that time away from the game gave her a refreshed appreciation for being able to play.

“Anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes, you don’t take that for granted, especially having come off of last year and I didn’t get to do that very much,” Clark said. “So I think for me, coming into this game, just a lot of excitement, not a ton of nerves. Just like get out there, run around.”

Clark and the Fever have one more tune-up game before the real action starts May 8. Indiana is scheduled to play the Dallas Wings on Thursday.