She's been on the biggest stage of college basketball (twice, actually). But Caitlin Clark had just one shot at her WNBA debut.
The Fever played the Sun on the road to begin the 2024 season — in front of a sold-out crowd no less, though that's never phased the Clark before. And Indiana's two preseason games gave a glimpse into what Clark & Co. can do.
But the Fever lost by 21 points in their season opener. Clark started slow, scoring just seven in the first quarter. She finished with 10 turnovers, which marks the most in any league debut. Still, she had a much better second half to finish with 20 points against the Sun, tied for the game high against one of the toughest defenses in the league.
See how Clark's opening game ranks among the WNBA's best debut performances, which includes greats like Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.
MORE: Highlights from Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut in Fever vs. Sun
Most points scored in WNBA debut
There's no one better suited to top the list than Candace Parker.
The 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player scored a whopping 34 points in the Sparks' win over the Mercury. She made it a double-double by adding 12 rebounds and even recorded eight assists.
Napheesa Collier is second on the list, via Across the Timeline. Drafted in 2019, the Lynx star scored 27 points and six rebounds in her debut against the Sky.
Just a few of the top 12 players were selected first overall in their respective draft – Parker, Breanna Stewart and Taurasi. Only the latter two still play in the league after Parker's retirement ahead of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player | Points | Team (Year) |
| 1 | Candace Parker | 34 | Sparks (2008) |
| 2 | Napheesa Collier | 27 | Lynx (2019) |
| 3 | Cynthia Cooper | 25 | Comets (1997) |
| 4 | Dawn Staley | 23 | Sting (1999) |
| Tamika Catchings | 23 | Fever (2001) | |
| Stacey Dales | 23 | Mystics (2002) | |
| Breanna Stewart | 23 | Storm (2016) | |
| 8 | Razija Brcaninovic | 22 | Shock (1998) |
| Edna Campbell | 22 | Mercury (1999) | |
| Tamara Moore | 22 | Sol (2002) | |
| Diana Taurasi | 22 | Mercury (2004) | |
| Elena Delle Donne | 22 | Sky (2013) |