Caitlin Clark heads to the Olympic break with a clear conscience.
THE Indiana Fever The rookie earned her first All-Star Game victory after Team WNBA defeated Team USA on Saturday night in a game many saw as an opportunity for Clark to exact revenge after a surprise snub by the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team.
Arike Ogunbowale celebrates a three-pointer with Team WNBA’s Caitlin Clark and Allisha Gray during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
But after the 117-109 victory over the veterans of Team USA, in which Clark led the All-Stars in assists, the former Iowa star said she took no “justification” in their victory.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“No, I mean they’re really good,” she said with a smile. “They’ve got a lot of talent on that team. It was the same thing four years ago — I’m pretty sure the WNBA team beat Team USA (and) they were perfectly good at the Olympics.”
Team USA suffered a loss before its gold medal run at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. But this year’s defeat followed a media firestorm that saw WNBA fans — especially Caitlin Clark fans – outraged that she was not selected for the Parisian team.
But for Clark, she believes Saturday’s loss is more a testament to the talent of the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark dribbles the ball against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game on July 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
WNBA All-Star Game Lives Up to Expectations, Fans Praise NBA’s Competitiveness and Players
“I think it shows how good this league is. It shows how much talent there is in this league and how you have to show up and prepare every night because there’s a lot of guys that aren’t even here on All-Star weekend that can be here and be in those moments too.”
She added: “I think for me, from my perspective, it’s a great opportunity and it’s going to help them prepare for Paris. I’m going to support them and cheer them on. I love the Olympics, I’ve loved the Olympics since I was a little girl and they’re going to do great. They’re going to win gold and dominate so I’m not worried.”
The disappointment of not seeing Clark contribute to the U.S. dominance in women’s basketball at the Olympics has a silver lining for Clark, though. She’ll finally be able to rest after a never-ending journey that included winning a championship her senior year at Iowa and becoming the NCAA Division I’s all-time leading scorer.
Caitlin Clark smiles after the WNBA All-Star Game on July 20, 2024, at Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“What a fun first All Star experience in Phoenix!! The fans and city were amazing…” Clark said in a post on X.
“Now it’s time to rest and relax 🙂 see you in a month.”
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
