Caitlin Clark in Maya Moore’s Shadow for One Night Amid Fever Loss

Caitlin Clark (22) of the Indiana Fever signs autographs before the game against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 24, 2024. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS–Amid Caitlin Clark’s rising superstardom, she couldn’t eclipse her favorite player, Maya Moore, on Aug. 24.

The Minnesota Lynx honored Moore, a retired four-time champion, with a jersey retirement ceremony, and her former team delivered a 90-80 victory over Clark’s Indiana Fever. Clark, who met Moore once in 2014 as a 12-year-old girl coming to a Lynx game, expressed the meaning of playing on the night Moore’s No. 23 went into the Target Center rafters.

“It’s cool to play in front of her,” Clark said after the game. “She’s courtside, and you look over at her and you’re like, ‘That’s your childhood idol.’ So you’ve got to pinch yourself a little bit at times, you know, be thankful for the moment and enjoy it, and still compete and be lucky that you get to do this at the highest level.”

Moore had a dynamic career with the Lynx from 2011 to 2018 before she stepped away from the game in 2018 and officially retired in 2023. In her short career, Moore won four WNBA titles, two Olympic gold medals, and one MVP.

Numerous players from the 2010s Lynx dynasty shared many stories about Moore’s prowess and personality on and off the court during the postgame ceremony. A video tribute from players and coaches around the WNBA capped those sharings, which Clark had a part in.

“She definitely inspired thousands and thousands of people,” Clark said in the video tribute. “Obviously, I was just one of those young girls. But I remember being at those games, and there was just, you know, the arena was packed with people that wanted to support her and support the Lynx and the dynasty that they built.”

Moore said she didn’t remember the moment with Clark in 2014 but she said it meant something to her that she impacted a girl who “became Caitlin Clark” during her pregame press conference. Similarly, Moore recounted personally meeting early WNBA greats in her childhood.

“Most times, if a young person caught my eye, I was going to try to interact with them if I could,” Moore said before the game. “I probably have more memories of being Caitlin’s age, you know, as a 10-year-old hugging a Cynthia Cooper or a Sheryl Swoopes.”

“I think it just goes to show you that when you do your best to be in the moment, and treat people with kindness and just be present when you can [it] really makes a big difference,” Moore said.

The Lynx primed Moore’s retirement ceremony at halftime as a painter produced a picture of her at center court. At that point, Clark and company had a chance to play spoiler, trailing 45-44 at the break.

That’s despite a strong start by Bridget Carleton and Napeesa Collier, who combined for 20 points on 7-12 shooting through 8:34 remaining in the first half. Clark didn’t hit her first three until the second quarter, and she ended the half with a three to make it a one-point game.

Minnesota hit the gas in the second half and pushed the lead back to double figures on a 6-0 run, 56-46, capped by Collier’s basket. The Lynx defense shut down the Fever on offense amid missed shots and a shot clock violation at one point in the third quarter.

Clark brought the Fever back within seven points, 67-60, but the Lynx made things an uphill climb in the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run. Collier finished with a game-high 31 points, and Carleton posted 16. Clark, who reached 500 career points in the loss, led the Fever with 23 points.

“Honestly, it was a great game. I thought the offense was great. It was up and down, both teams were tired, so I think it was just a great display of women’s basketball,” Clark said.