Caitlin Clark playoff debut: Indiana Fever star hit in the eye, no call made in Game 1 vs. Sun
In the first quarter of the Indiana Fever’s first-round showdown against the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA Playoffs, Sun guard Dijonai Carrington accidentally poked Caitlin Clark in the eye. Clark fell to the ground after Carrington’s finger made contact but the referees didn’t call a foul.
Clark’s eye immediately began to develop a bruise. Perhaps the early eye poke was partly to blame for Clark’s underwhelming performance in the first half. Clark shot 1-9 from the field through the first two quarters and 0-6 from beyond the arc.
It was an unusual showing from Clark, who has been fantastic since the WNBA All-Star break. Earlier on Sunday, Clark was named the Associated Press 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The vote was unanimous.
Clark is only the second player in the Indiana Fever’s history to earn the award — the other being Clark’s teammate, Aliyah Boston.
Clark started all 40 regular season games for the Fever, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game while shooting 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from beyond the arc. Clark’s 8.4 assists per game were 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.
Additionally, Clark was named to the AP All-WNBA First Team with Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson. Clark finished fourth in MVP voting, with Wilson ultimately walking away with the award.
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Clark’s countless accolades were accompanied by endless records. In the 2024 regular season, Clark compiled the most points (769), assists and 3-point field goals made ever by a rookie in WNBA history. Further, Clark’s 337 assists were the most ever in a single season by any WNBA player.
Clark also became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double and the only Fever player to ever accomplish the feat. Most importantly, Clark’s individual accomplishments translated to team success.
In 2023, the Fever finished the season with a 13-27 record and failed to reach the WNBA Playoffs. In comparison, Caitlin Clark led the Fever to a 20-20 mark this season and the Fever are the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
Although the Indiana Fever were unable to escape Game 1 with a win against the Sun, their season isn’t over. All matchups in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs are best-of-three series.