Caitlin Clark is gearing up for her first preseason game at home in Indiana. The Fever will open the arena's third deck against Atlanta

Caitlin Clark practiced at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, but the arena was empty.

On Thursday night, she'll face a lively crowd of nearly 17,000 fans in her first home game for the Indiana Fever. Clark, the WNBA's top pick, is expected to bring a positive change to the team.

After leading Iowa to two consecutive NCAA championship games, Clark is ready to debut for the Fever in a preseason match against the Atlanta Dream.

"People know who I am," Clark said. "It can be challenging, but it's also exciting. It's a great opportunity to grow women's basketball and get fans excited."

Clark has already made an impact, scoring 21 points in the preseason opener against Dallas. The Fever have a packed schedule, with 36 of their 40 games set to be televised nationally. Additionally, Clark's first regular-season game on May 14 will be streamed live on Disney+.

For Thursday's game, the Fever are opening up the third deck of their arena, aiming to accommodate over 17,000 fans. Despite the NBA playoffs causing a schedule change, there's high anticipation for Clark's debut, reminiscent of big moments in Indiana sports history like Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck's debuts.