Despite Caitlin Clark scoring 20 points and committing 10 turnovers in her WNBA debut, the Indiana Fever falls short against the Connecticut Sun.
Tuesday night, in her first game of the regular season, No. 1 overall choice in the WNBA draft Caitlin Clark had mixed results, finishing with 20 points but ten turnovers in her Indiana Fever’s 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun.
The all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history and DeWanna Bonner of Connecticut were tied for the game’s most points scored.
In a post on X, the WNBA stated regarding Clark, “Tonight the rookie joins Maya Moore and Edna Campbell as the only players in WNBA history to tally 20+ pts and 4+ 3PM in their debut.”
Alyssa Thomas, the Connecticut Sun forward and 2023 league MVP runner-up, faced up against Clark. On Tuesday, the four-time All-Star for the Sun recorded a triple-double with ten rebounds, thirteen assists, and thirteen points. Bonner led the Suns’ five players who scored in double figures. Bonner finished with six rebounds and 20 points.
Clark was fouled out early in the game and was benched for the majority of the first quarter. Clark scored her first points in the WNBA halfway through the second quarter after stealing the ball and advancing the ball down the court for a transition layup. She made her first three-pointer in the last second before halftime.
Although Clark quickened her pace in the second half, the Sun team—a semifinalist in the WNBA playoffs the previous season—overcame the Fever.
Clark had trouble keeping the ball in play despite the Sun’s fierce defensive pressure. In addition, Clark had two steals and three assists against the Sun.
Clark Expresses Her Disappointment
Following the defeat, Clark expressed her desire to play better in her upcoming games this season, even though she wishes she had performed better in her first game.
“Obviously I’m disappointed. Nobody likes to lose, that’s how it is,” as Clark stated in her post-game interview.
“But I don’t think you can beat yourself up too much about one game. I don’t think that’s going to help this team. No matter who it is on this team, no one can do that with how they played,” she remarked. “Just move on and learn from it.”
Clark mentioned that it took her some time to become used to the game.
“I thought the second half was a lot better, minus some of the turnovers. But just getting more comfortable, and that’s going to come with experience and getting to play with these girls,” she remarked. “And the more games I play, the more comfortable I’m going to get.”
At Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever will play the New York Liberty in their home opener on Thursday.
WNBA Debut of Clark Was Eagerly Awaited
The WNBA’s newest star stole the show as the season got underway. Clark was selected as the team most likely to win Rookie of the Year in the WNBA general managers’ season projections.
The WNBA debut of the rookie phenom, who had a record NCAA season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, has been long anticipated by fans who are spearheading a renewed interest in women’s basketball.
The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 83–80 last week, and Clark made her home preseason debut in front of almost 13,000 spectators.
Both domestic and foreign fans have been incredibly excited about Clark’s debut season. The Sun reported on Monday that 8,910 seats at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, had been snapped up for their opening game versus the Fever. More than 20 years have passed since The Sun last sold out the Mohegan Sun Arena in 2003.
Clark’s supporters showed up at Mohegan Sun Arena with a standing ovation during player introductions and thunderous applause the moment Clark touched the ball.
