Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRT Featured Columnist IV September 22, 2024
Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images
Caitlin Clark was named the unanimous Associated Press WNBA Rookie of the Year on Sunday after averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds during the regular season.
Her playoff debut, however, was a bit rockier.
Clark finished with just 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals—while shooting 4-of-17 from the field (2-of-11 from three) with two turnovers—in the Indiana Fever’s 93-69 loss against the Connecticut Sun in Game 1 of the first-round series between the teams.
NBA @NBA
Caitlin Clark gets the reverse to go for her first @WNBA playoff points! 🔥
IND-CON on ABC | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by Googlepic.twitter.com/ucbtxlBVDH
WNBA @WNBA
Caitlin Clark is heatin’ up in the 3Q 🔥
IND-CON | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/5pcSWj1Myp
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 21 points, while Marina Mabrey paced the Suns with 27 points off the bench.
Clark has had an astonishing rookie season, no doubt, making her postseason debut all the more surprising for WNBA fans:
The Hoop Kitchen @TheHoopKitchen
I gotta keep the same energy…
Caitlin Clark with the playoff stinker today
11 points
8 assists
4/17 FG 🥶🥶
2/13 3PT 🥶🥶☃️☃️
She’ll bounce back in Game 2 pic.twitter.com/xxo7AInwQx
Bruce🇧🇸 @AllEyesOnMe93_
Caitlin Clark smh
SportyFella @FellaSporty
Need Indiana Fever to get swept so Caitlin Clark really takes this offseason personally. She really just needs to learn what shots are high quality for her at what times. Get a big stronger. Consistency will form off those adjustments
. @WhatsUpSon
Caitlin Clark just missed a lot of good looks today. She didn’t look overwhelmed by the playoff atmosphere to me. On to the next game.
Ajowele Abayomi @ajowhales_bobo
It was hurtful watching the Fever and Caitlin Clark struggle with offense that much.
JCバスケス (JC Vazquez) 🇵🇷 🌎 @JC1986_
Beatdown by the Connecticut Sun over the Indiana Fever. And a rough playoff debut for Caitlin Clark.
TalksWithJae @eccentricsole
We know Caitlin Clark and the Fever are getting their first taste of the playoffs. They saw in this game everything matters from the first possession to the last possession. Missing shots can take you out the game early.
Primo @DaarkPrimo9
Caitlin Clark got welcomed to the playoffs today. Imma give the rookie a pass but 4/17 & 2/13 from 3 is crazy. Fever & Clark stans really thought a team that never been in the playoffs would be able to beat the sun 🤦🏿♂️🤣
Great players have rough games at times, and Clark is no exception. The WNBA playoffs are a different beast to the regular season, a lesson Clark and her teammates undoubtedly learned on Sunday.
But the Fever also weren’t expected to be a playoff team after finishing just 13-27 last season. The addition of Clark, the top overall pick in the WNBA draft, played a huge role in the team’s immediate turnaround and 20-20 season. That the Fever are even in the playoffs makes this season a resounding success.
If they want to keep their playoff hopes alive, however, they’ll need to rebound in a major way on Wednesday night. Game 2 will be on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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