Caitlin Clark is poised to make her preseason home debut against the Dream, while the Fever prepare to open the arena’s third deck.

Caitlin Clark spent Wednesday honing her skills inside an empty Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, on Thursday night, Indianapolis will witness the arrival of its new basketball sensation as Clark makes her highly anticipated home debut for the Indiana Fever in a preseason matchup against the Atlanta Dream.

The atmosphere promises to be electric, with a near sellout crowd eager to see the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick in action, believing she can be a game-changer for the Fever’s fortunes.

Fresh off leading Iowa to consecutive NCAA championship games, Clark acknowledges the attention she’s garnered, recognizing the opportunity to elevate women’s basketball and ignite fan excitement.

Already, Clark has made her mark, delivering a stellar performance in the preseason opener against Dallas, where she led the team with 21 points in a closely contested game. With 36 out of 40 games set to be televised nationally, and her regular-season debut scheduled to be the first live sporting event streamed on Disney+, anticipation for Clark’s impact is palpable.

In a move reflecting the Fever’s growing anticipation, Gainbridge Fieldhouse will open its third deck for seating, potentially accommodating over 17,000 fans for a preseason game—a decision spurred by Clark’s arrival and the fervor surrounding the team.

Despite the NBA playoffs causing a scheduling adjustment, with the Indiana Pacers hosting a playoff game on the same night, the excitement surrounding Clark’s debut remains undiminished.