Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty Live Stream: Caitlin Clark Battles Sabrina Ionescu in Tonight’s WNBA Showdown

Tipoff set for 3 p.m. ET Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the stakes feel bigger than a mid-June contest. The undefeated New York Liberty (9-0) roll into Indianapolis for a Commissioner’s Cup showdown with the Indiana Fever (4-5) that doubles as the long-awaited return of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark after a three-week layoff with a quadriceps injury. The No. 1 overall pick has been cleared without a minutes restriction and is expected to start alongside Kelsey Mitchell in the Fever backcourt, injecting instant electricity into a building already sold out days in advance. Why this game matters • Perfect record on the line: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones have powered New York to the WNBA’s best start, outscoring opponents by 14.8 points per game. A road win keeps the Liberty on track to clinch a Commissioner’s Cup berth before July. • Fever chasing momentum: Indiana is 3-1 at home but dropped four of five while Clark was sidelined. Grabbing a statement victory against the league’s top defense would vault Christie Sides’ club back into playoff position and boost Cup tiebreakers. • National spotlight: ABC will carry the broadcast nationwide; fans can also stream on the ESPN App, ESPN+, and WNBA League Pass. Pre-game coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET with reporter Holly Rowe on site. Key matchups to watch 1. Caitlin Clark vs Sabrina Ionescu Expect fireworks from two generational point guards who can bury 30-foot threes and orchestrate in transition. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said her team “must pick Clark up at half court.” Indiana will counter with traps on Ionescu to force the ball out of her hands. 2. Frontcourt battle Reigning MVP Breanna Stewart faces Aliyah Boston for the first time this season. Boston averaged 9.4 rebounds in Clark’s absence but will need front-line help from NaLyssa Smith to keep Stewart and Jones off the glass. 3. Pace control New York ranks first in offensive efficiency, but Indiana plays fastest in the league when Clark pushes tempo. If the Fever generate early-clock threes and free-throw trips, they can mask half-court growing pains. How Indiana plans to use Clark Clark told reporters she spent the layoff “locked in film” and working on core strength to protect the sore quad. The Fever will run stagger screens to spring her for catch-and-shoot looks, freeing Mitchell and Boston for dives. Look for more two-woman action between Clark and Boston at the elbows rather than high pick-and-rolls that strain spacing. Prediction and betting odds Sportsbooks list New York as a 7.5-point favorite with the over/under hovering around 169.5. If Clark’s conditioning holds, Indiana’s league-leading three-point volume (29.1 attempts per game) could shorten that gap quickly. Still, the Liberty’s depth—Kayla Thornton and Betnijah Laney off the bench—makes them a tough out on short rest. Liberty 92, Fever 86 feels right, but expect a one-possession game late. How to get last-minute tickets Standing-room-only seats on the Fever Ticketmaster hub started at $49 Friday night and spiked after Clark’s clearance became public. Resale platforms were posting lower-bowl options for $110-$200. Fans commuting should budget extra time around downtown Indy because the Indy Pride Parade concludes an hour before tip. What’s next Both clubs hit the road immediately: New York visits Chicago on Monday, while Indiana flies to Atlanta for a Tuesday clash with the Dream. Commissioner’s Cup standings update after Saturday’s slate, making every possession in this nationally televised matinee count toward the $500,000 prize pool. Bottom line An unbeaten juggernaut, a rookie phenom back in uniform, and national TV exposure have turned Liberty-Fever into must-see WNBA viewing. If Clark’s return sparks an upset, Saturday could mark the moment Indiana’s rebuild officially turned the corner—and it might be the last time tickets in Indy are remotely affordable all season.