Caitlin Clark's highly anticipated return to the court was overshadowed by a crushing defeat as the Golden State Valkyries dismantled the Indiana Fever 80-61 on Wednesday in a riveting showdown in Indianapolis.

The Valkyries surged ahead in the first half, ending it with a solid 41-32 lead. Though the Fever rallied in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to 55-50, they couldn't hold on as Golden State pulled away, turning the game into a 20-point blowout by the fourth quarter.

This marked Clark's first appearance since June 24, after being sidelined with a groin injury for five games. Despite the rustiness evident in her performance, she managed to score 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting, alongside five rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes.

Clark wasn't alone in her struggles. Fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston had a rough outing as well, finishing with only six points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

On the Valkyries' side, guard Veronica Burton shone brightly, leading all scorers with a remarkable 21 points, while Kayla Thornton contributed 18. Their defense was particularly formidable, holding the Fever to a mere 30.9 percent shooting rate and a dismal 6-of-27 from beyond the arc.

With just four games remaining before the All-Star break, the Fever find themselves at a crucial crossroads. Last season, they ended the first half strong, so this time, building positive momentum could be key to a successful second half, even without the luxury of an extended break for practice.

Will Caitlin Clark and the Fever bounce back? Fans will be eagerly watching as the team fights to regain its footing.