Caitlin Clark, DeWanna Bonner get into heated exchange after no-call in WNBA playoffs
Early in the first quarter of Wednesday’s WNBA playoffs matchup, things got a bit heated between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun. Caitlin Clark and DeWanna Bonner got into an exchange after a no-call, leading to a mini-scuffle.
Officials didn’t blow a whistle on a Clark three-point shot, which saw Bonner make contact on her way back down. As the two players headed to the other end of the court, they exchanged words as tempers began to flare.
Clark showed some fire throughout the first quarter, as well, as Connecticut rattled off an 11-0 run to take a 17-14 lead. As for how she can balance her composure with that fire, she stressed the need to rely on her teammates and keep that level of focus.
“Stay focused about what’s on the floor and my four other teammates that are right here with me,” Clark told Holly Rowe after the first quarter. “I think that’s most important. I thought we had a good start, but we can’t let them back in after we get a little lead.”
The Sun entered the matchup with a 1-0 lead in the Best of 3 series, meaning a victory would eliminate the Fever from the playoffs. Connecticut won the first game 93-69 behind a triple-double from Alyssa Thomas and 22 points from Bonner.
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Indiana is in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 as Clark put together a rookie season for the ages. She became the first rookie in league history to record not one, but two triple-doubles to earn unanimous Rookie of the Year honors from the AP.
Caitlin Clark started all 40 regular season games for the Fever, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists while shooting 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from beyond the arc. Clark’s 8.4 assists per game were also a league-high.
The WNBA Rookie of the Year Award is only Clark’s latest achievement. For her debut campaign efforts, she was also a four-time WNBA Rookie of the Month, three-time WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week and WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month in August.