Caitlin Clark returns to the court for the Indiana Fever after 9 months out

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Caitlin Clark returns to the court for the Indiana Fever after 9 months out

2026-04-26 02:24 Last Updated At：02:41

NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark was excited to get back on the court Saturday and play in a WNBA game, even if it was just the preseason.

Indiana's star played in her first game for the Fever in nine months after injuries derailed her second season, limiting her to 13 games.

“This isn't a real game, I understand that, but that's how we treat it like a real game," Clark said before the Fever faced the New York Liberty. “I think anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes you don’t take that for granted, especially after coming off last year when I didn't get to do that very much.”

Clark said she had some nerves and only expected to play about 20-25 minutes.

“Get out there, run around, you know, it’s going to be a little sloppy for both teams,” she said. “That’s kind of what preseason games are.”

Fever coach Stephanie White noticed a difference in Clark this preseason as opposed to her first two in the league.

“I think that’s the thing, watching her play with joy," White said. “In practice her energy is different, carrying herself in a different way.”

This wasn't Clark's first basketball game since suffering a season-ending injury last July. She played for USA Basketball in a World Cup qualifying tournament last month and earned Most Valuable Player honors.

“She was itchy and antsy before training camp started,” said White, who coached her in USA Basketball as well. “Glad she had those games with USA Basketball and came into training camp having played. Now it's fine tuning.”

While Clark played, a few of the Fever's others didn't. Aliyah Boston was out while still recovering from a lower-leg injury. Lexie Hull is also working her way through a hamstring issue.

White said both would have played if it was a regular-season game.

The Fever were also without Ty Harris (knee) and Damiris Dantas, who is not with the team yet.

New York was missing Rebecca Allen, Marine Fauthoux and Satou Sabally, who were out to build their fitness up. Sabally was the biggest offseason acquisition by the Liberty, signing as a free agent.

Leonie Fiebich, Raquel Carrera, Pauline Astier and Ugonne Onyiah weren't with the Liberty yet as they were finishing up their overseas commitments.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Man City books another FA Cup final after beating Southampton

Manchester City is headed to a fourth straight FA Cup final after surviving a scare to beat second-division Southampton 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday.

Nico Gonzalez's 87th-minute winner completed a comeback after going a goal down.

Victory kept up City's bid for a domestic treble of trophies, having won the English League Cup and racing with Arsenal for the Premier League title.

A first league win in 2026 wasn't enough to lift Tottenham out of the relegation zone.

Spurs beat relegated Wolves 1-0 to hand Roberto De Zerbi his first victory as coach. But it remained in the drop zone, two points behind West Ham, which clinched a 2-1 win against Everton through Callum Wilson's stoppage time goal at London Stadium.

Liverpool moved up to fourth on goal difference by beating Crystal Palace 3-1. The defending champion leapfrogged Aston Villa which lost to Fulham 1-0.

Arsenal was playing Newcastle later Saturday with the chance to move back to the top ahead of Manchester City.

City was playing in the semifinals of the FA Cup against second division Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

For a short while everything seemed to be going Tottenham's way.

First, midfielder Joao Paulinha managed to stay onside to slide Spurs into an 82nd-minute lead at Molineux and survive a VAR check.

Moments later, Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall leveled the score at West Ham — cancelling out Tomas Soucek's opener and temporarily helping Spurs climb out of the relegation zone.

But Wilson's winner for West Ham in the 92nd — after coming on as a late substitute — saw the fight for survival take another twist.

Spurs' win was it's first in the league since Dec. 28. and further evidence of a lift in form under De Zerbi, who was appointed last month.

The Italian has been in charge for three games and picked up four points.

Liverpool's title defense unravelled long ago but Arne Slot's team looks well placed to qualify for the Champions League and maybe seal a top three finish.

Alexander Isak scored his first goal since a broken ankle and fibula in December as Liverpool moved up to fourth and level on points with third-placed Manchester United, having played a game more.

United hosts Liverpool next week in a match that will have added intensity given their league placing.

Villa started the day with the chance to move up to third but ended it in fifth, going down to Ryan Sessegnon’s first half goal at Fulham. Villa was also level on points with United and Liverpool.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer