The WNBA’s regular season tipped off with fireworks as Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever delivered a performance for the ages, dismantling the Chicago Sky 93-58 in a game that was less about rivalry and more about a resounding declaration: the Fever are here, and they’re ready to contend.

After a grueling seven-month layoff, the longest break of her basketball life, Clark unleashed a historic triple-double—20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds—becoming the first player in WNBA history to record a triple-double in a season opener. “It feels like it went by fast,” Clark reflected postgame, her focus and composure undiminished by the months of speculation about her ability to elevate her game in her sophomore season.

From the opening tip, it was clear Clark had used the offseason criticism as fuel. Gone was the hesitation that sometimes crept into her rookie play; in its place was a freedom and confidence reminiscent of her Iowa days. Her first three-pointer splashed through the net, followed by a series of no-look passes and defensive stops that left the Sky flustered and flat-footed. By halftime, Clark was flirting with history, notching seven points, six rebounds, and seven assists as the Fever opened up a 19-point lead.

But this wasn’t just the Caitlin Clark show. The Fever’s suffocating defense, anchored by Aliyah Boston’s five blocks—a career high—held the Sky to a dismal 29% shooting from the field and just 22% from beyond the arc. Every possession was contested, every passing lane clogged, and every drive met with a wall of defenders. Chicago’s offense, led by rookie sensation Angel Reese, was stymied from the start; Reese’s 17 rebounds were overshadowed by her team’s inability to find any rhythm or space. By the fourth quarter, the Sky looked defeated, turning the ball over 17 times and failing to score more than 18 points in any quarter.

The highly anticipated Clark-Reese rivalry, hyped by media and fans alike, fizzled under the Fever’s relentless execution. While Reese and the Sky entered the night eager to make a statement, it was Indiana that announced their arrival as a complete, cohesive unit. “We were disruptive,” Clark said, praising her team’s defensive intensity and highlighting the Fever’s newfound identity. “Anytime you can keep a team in this league to under 20 points in quarters, that’s important.”

The game’s most heated moment came late in the third quarter, when Clark committed a hard foul on Reese to prevent an easy layup. The officials reviewed the play and upgraded it to a flagrant foul, sparking a brief confrontation. Reese, visibly frustrated, was quickly separated from Clark by teammates and Fever star Aliyah Boston. Technical fouls were assessed to both Reese and Boston, but the incident only seemed to galvanize the Fever, who responded with a decisive 12-2 run that put the game out of reach.

Social media exploded with clips of Clark’s dazzling assists and Boston’s emphatic blocks, but perhaps the most significant milestone of the night came quietly: veteran DeWanna Bonner sank two free throws to move into third place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. While the Clark-Reese narrative dominated headlines, the Fever celebrated Bonner’s achievement as a team, a testament to the culture being built in Indiana.

As the final buzzer sounded and the scoreboard showed a 35-point blowout, the contrast between the two teams was stark. The Fever’s locker room was jubilant, with veterans embracing rookies and head coach Christie Sides delivering an emotional speech about setting a new standard. “We have one goal,” Sides said. “Did we play our best game today? I would say we didn’t. The fact that we didn’t play our best and still destroyed the Chicago Sky, you’ve got to feel good about that.”

Meanwhile, the Sky’s postgame mood was somber. Reese dismissed the flagrant foul as a “basketball play,” but there was no hiding the disappointment. The supposed rivalry had turned into a one-sided rout, leaving Chicago with more questions than answers.

For Clark, the focus remained on the team and the work ahead. “We’re still finding our chemistry together,” she admitted, “but we just have so many weapons and that’s what’s so fun.” That’s a chilling thought for the rest of the league: the Fever posted a historic win while still building their identity.

This wasn’t just an opening night victory—it was a seismic shift in the WNBA landscape. Clark’s triple-double, Boston’s dominance, and the Fever’s stifling defense sent a clear message: Indiana is no longer a rebuilding project. They’re contenders. And for Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, they were merely the first casualties in what could be a special season for the Fever.

The seven-month wait is over. The Indiana Fever have arrived—and the rest of the WNBA has been put on notice.