A return to the court for Caitlin Clark led to the Indiana Fever star getting winded early on in the game after taking some time away from basketball.

Clark had been playing the game seemingly non-stop since last November after starting her final year of college with Iowa, then promptly getting drafted and beginning her WNBA career.

By not being included in the Olympic team, Clark was able to get a much needed break – but it also took her a bit out of her rhythm that left her tired after just a few minutes.

That’s what she told reporters in the aftermath of Friday night’s 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

‘I called for a sub six minutes in, if I’m being honest,’ Clark said with a laugh. ‘I was like, Holy cow. I think it was around seven minutes in. I called for a sub. I was like, “I need a quick minute here.”

Caitlin Clark said that she needed to be subbed out early in her game due to exhaustion

Caitlin Clark said that she needed to be subbed out early in her game due to exhaustion

She eventually recovered, dropping 29 points and dishing ten assists in a win over Phoenix

She eventually recovered, dropping 29 points and dishing ten assists in a win over Phoenix

‘Because we were playing fast and then my defense isn’t as good. It’s a liability for my team. Just got to get a second to breathe.’

Despite her early exhaustion, Clark says that maintaining her game readiness has relatively gone well.

‘Getting back in game shape has been, I think, pretty easy,’ Clark shared. ‘We’ve been competing really hard in practice and playing versus our guys live. We’ve had refs come in. Basically I think five separate different times we’ve been playing live.

‘We’ve just been scrimmaging. That’s the best way to stay in basketball shape is just play live basketball, but obviously, it’s going to be really hard to replicate a real game. So it felt good to get back out there.’

Clark put on a show for the home fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a 29 point, ten assist performance that dazzled and delighted.

She shot an efficient 8-of-16 from the field while going 4-for-11 from beyond the arc.