Caitlin Clark has put her own twist on the NBA’s iconic “three to the dome” celebration.
The Indiana Fever star sank a trey in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s 87-78 win over the Sparks and smacked her forehead five times as she ran back down the court.
Carmelo Anthony popularized the “three to the dome” celebration — tapping his temple are hitting a shot — during his Knicks days, and it’s since become a staple, often duplicated and personalized, throughout basketball since.
Clark’s move may have signaled more of her frustration than it did any good vibes, though — the 3-pointer was her first make on seven attempts as she continues to find her game after following a season derailed by injuries.
The Sparks didn’t exactly take it easy on Clark, either.
Cameron Brink set the Los Angels crowd off with a massive first-quarter block against Clark, and things further boiled over at the end of the half when she complained about an offensive foul, earning a technical foul from referee Jason Alabanza.
Clark finished the victory with a game-high 24 points and nine assists, leading Indiana to its first win of the season, and perhaps more importantly, is getting her legs back under her.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks. NBAE via Getty Images “I feel good, I took a couple of hard fouls there at the end, I feel good overall,” she told reporters. “I felt fast tonight. I played 31 minutes — I haven’t played 30-plus minutes in a really long time. Last year, at least half the games, I was on a some sort if minutes restriction not really crossing into 30. Really happy with the way my body responded after the first game going into tonight. … overall, I feel good.”
Through two games, Clark is averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds and eight assists on 45.7% shooting — making just 18.8% of her 3-pointers thus far.
She’ll have a chance to build on those numbers — and maybe work on her 3-point celebration a bit more — with the Fever set to host the Washington Mystics on Friday night.
