CNN
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Minnesota Lynx fans not only witnessed a victory on Saturday, but also the retirement of WNBA legend Maya Moore’s jersey.

Despite Caitlin Clark’s 23 points, the Lynx held off the Indiana Fever 90-80 to win their sixth straight game. The win also clinched a playoff spot for the team.

After the game, the Lynx carried Moore’s number 23 jersey into the rafters of the Target Center in Minneapolis to applause from fans.

Moore was selected first overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Lynx and played eight seasons in the WNBA, all with Minnesota. He led the team to four championships and was named league MVP in 2014.

Moore’s off-court career is even more impressive than her nearly untouchable basketball career.

She worked to secure the release of Jonathan Irons, a man she helped exonerate after he spent 22 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The two married in 2020 and later announced the birth of their son Jonathan Jr.

Moore officially announced her retirement from the WNBA in 2023.

Surrounded by her family, friends, former teammates and coaches, the 35-year-old said Saturday she was “so incredibly grateful” to everyone who came to honor her.

“My life is an example of what it looks like when we love a little girl,” an emotional Moore said as he watched her banner being raised. “We can’t see that without love. So many people have a hand in my life to show me what life is all about. That’s what I try to bring every day, is life and joy, because I’ve been a recipient of life and joy. And so don’t think that all those little things behind the scenes that you love people and pour into people are in vain, because they’re not in vain.”

Moore added that it was a “miracle” that Irons attended the ceremony.

“For so many years you watched me on your 13-inch TV with little chance of connecting,” Moore said. “Now you have a front row seat and you’re enjoying it the most.”

Moore then pointed to the banner and said, “Look at that. What an honor. I love you guys so much,” to which the audience gave him a standing ovation.

Clark, 22, also reached a milestone in the first quarter.

Under the watchful eye of her hero Moore, Clark reached 500 points in just 29 games.

Before Saturday’s game, Clark expressed her gratitude to Moore, calling her “the person” in her life as she spoke about the impact she has had on her basketball career.

“She was the person for me growing up,” Clark told reporters. “Those are the kind of people you want your young daughter to idolize. And it’s crazy that I get to play in this building. I played in this building in college and now I’m playing here, as a pro. It’s come full circle. But Maya (Moore) was definitely that person for me and she was obviously amazing.”