Jessica Hill / AP
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) puts up a 3-point shot to score against the Connecticut Sun during the fourth quarter of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn.
Friday, May 24, 2024 | 3:06 p.m.
The Las Vegas Aces aren’t concerned with anything that Caitlin Clark is doing.
They host the rookie phenom and the Indiana Fever at 6 p.m. Saturday (NBA TV) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay.
“We’re going to show up and do us,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said.
Clark has become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball since a record-setting career at the University of Iowa. Her fledgling professional career has featured sold-out arenas, a few 3-pointers and no wins by the Fever. Indiana enters Saturday’s game in Las Vegas with an 0-5 record.
Aces team leader A’ja Wilson said the attention and questions about Clark have been “exhausting.” She suspects Clark is also exhausted.
“We tell our rookies every single day this is new. You’re coming into a whole other new world and starting over,” Wilson said. “The questions are only annoying because she’s a rookie.”
Clark has brought attention to the WNBA in her initial month in the league, which Hammon and Wilson said they are happy about.
But Wilson stressed she doesn’t want people coming to Saturday’s game “to see something that’s not us.”
“We’re going to maintain our system and what we need to be doing,” Wilson said.
The focus for the Aces continues to stay on improving their defense from the past two games as Hammon said it’s not where it needs to be. The Aces (2-1) lost Tuesday to the Mercury.
They’re excited about a larger crowd but are strictly focused on what they’re doing.
“The more the merrier. Come watch us. We love our fan base,” Hammon said. “This part of the year especially it’s more about what we’re doing and less about whoever is on the other team.”
The cheapest tickets for game are $63 on secondary ticket sites. When the Clark and the Fever return to face the Aces July 2, the game will be played at T-Mobile Arena to accommodate a bigger crowd.