Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin shared touching moment after Fever’s first win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indiana Fever earned their first win of the 2026 season on Wednesday night, defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 87-78 at Crypto.com Arena behind another strong performance from Caitlin Clark. But after the game ended, one of the more memorable moments came away from the final box score.
Clark reunited postgame with former Iowa teammate Kate Martin, continuing a friendship that has remained close ever since their college basketball days together. The two shared a hug on the court after the final buzzer and exchanged a few words before going their separate ways. Martin could be heard telling Clark, “Bye Cait, I love you,” in a moment captured by WNBA cameras.
Caitlin Clark helps Fever bounce back
Clark played a major role in Indiana’s bounce-back effort after the Fever lost their season opener to the Dallas Wings. The Fever star finished with 24 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block while shooting 9-for-17 from the field. Kelsey Mitchell added 23 points, while Sophie Cunningham chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
Indiana also looked much sharper defensively after giving up 107 points in its first game of the season.
Kate Martin still adjusting to new opportunity with Sparks
Martin was in attendance for the game but was not active for Los Angeles. The former Iowa Hawkeyes standout recently joined the Sparks on a player development contract after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries shortly before the regular season began.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham’s arrival outfit before Fever-Sparks game quickly went viral
Even though the two are now on different teams, Clark and Martin have continued to support each other throughout their WNBA journeys. The Fever and Sparks are scheduled to meet two more times later this season, including another matchup in June.
Indiana is back at home on Friday to host the Mystics in their first of four straight home games. For the Sparks, they will look to pick up their first win of the season on Friday, as they host the Tempo in back to back games, with the second on Sunday.
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