Clark makes one of the most-hyped debuts in WNBA history.
Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
The Athletic Staff
Caitlin Clark loses first game in WNBA debut for Fever
The Connecticut Sun showed why they were one of the best teams in the league last season on Tuesday night, defeating the Fever 92-71 to spoil Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut. Clark finished with a team-high 20 points, but she also had 10 turnovers, the most-ever in WNBA history for a player's first game.
Sun forward Alyssa Thomas recorded a 13-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double (the 12th of her career), and Connecticut's DeWanna Bonner added 20 points and moved into fifth all-time on the WNBA's career points list.
Clark, the No. 1 pick in last month's draft, averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game in two preseason games. She and Aliyah Boston, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, will lead the Fever against a Sun team projected to be in the WNBA's upper echelon.
Required reading
- WNBA 2024 expert debate: How far can Caitlin Clark take the Indiana Fever?
- How have top WNBA draft picks fared in their debuts?
- WNBA preseason power rankings: Can anyone catch the Las Vegas Aces?
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Court conversion
Here's how it looked as Indiana's court converted from the Pacers to the Fever.
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3 takeaways from Clark's debut
Playing in front of a packed and loud crowd was nothing new for Caitlin Clark, who made her WNBA debut in a 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday.
The competition, however, was another story.
Clark re-entered the game in the fourth quarter, with her Indiana Fever trailing by double digits. If the first three periods hadn’t been trying enough, a new challenge awaited Clark: five-time WNBA All-Defensive selection Alyssa Thomas was about to pick her up on the perimeter.
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On the bright side ...
Despite some of Clark's struggles in her debut, she joined elite company in other ways.
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Home opener next for Fever
The Fever will host the New York Liberty on Thursday for Clark's home debut. The Liberty, who played in last season's WNBA Finals, is another tough opponent.
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Strong opener for NaLyssa Smith
Smith was one point away from a double-double.
Turnovers plague Clark
Clark is up to double-digit turnovers in her first WNBA game. Her 10 turnovers are the most in a game in Fever history and are a record for the most in a career-debut, according to ESPN Stats and Information. She recorded 10 or more turnovers only three times throughout her college career.
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Alyssa Thomas notches triple-double
Sun's Alyssa Thomas just grabbed a defensive rebound and now has a triple-double. That's the 12th of her WNBA career, including playoffs, continuing to stretch her record for most in league history.
Clark up to 20 points
Caitlin Clark has reached the 20-point mark in her first career WNBA game. She also has nine turnovers, and is only 5-of-12 from the field, but she certainly is still able to score in bunches.
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A deep 3-pointer from Clark
Clark hit her fourth 3-pointer and is up to 18 points. She's 5 of 7 after starting 0-for-4 shooting.
Tough defender on Clark
Alyssa Thomas is now guarding Caitlin Clark. That's a real Welcome to the WNBA matchup for the rookie guard.
Can the Fever come back?
Indiana is staying within striking distance entering the fourth quarter, which should be a familiar sight for those who followed the Fever during the 2023 season. They played more clutch minutes than any team in the WNBA (defined as being within 5 points in the final five minutes), going 10-16 in those clutch games.
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Carrington to locker room with possible cramps
DiJonai Carrington, who has 16 points for the Sun, headed to the locker room with what appears to be a leg cramp.
Bonner moves up scoring ladder
With her last basket, DeWanna Bonner just moved into fifth all-time in WNBA career points. The sellout crowd here just showered her with an ovation and she made a heart out of her two hands to acknowledge them. Moments before fans gave Bonner a moment of appreciation, she let out a roar after Fever coach Christie Sides called timeout. Indiana had cut Connecticut's lead to 6, but the Sun responded to get it back to 12.
Clark up to 8 turnovers
Here's a part of the box score people probably didn't predict heading into the night: With 5:29 to play in the third quarter, Clark has as many turnovers (8) as shot attempts (8). She just picked up a third foul, as well.
Clark with 6 turnovers but Fever hanging in
Connecticut coach Stephanie White has called an early timeout, less than three minutes into the third quarter. Erica Wheeler just hit a 3-pointer to slash the Sun's lead to nine points. Clark is up to 6 turnovers, but the Fever are doing a good job hanging in.
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A look at Clark's 3
Clark hit her first 3-pointer.
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Sun lead Fever 48-32 at half
Halftime here in Mohegan Sun Arena. The Sun lead the Fever 49-39. Indiana looks like a team that is playing in its first game of the season, and it's first game together. They have 8 turnovers, have struggled to convert fastbreak opportunities and are shooting only 40 percent from the field.
It took Clark until midway through the second quarter to finally get on the scoresheet, but she ended the half with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field. She assisted Aliyah Boston on Indiana's first offensive trip of the game, but hasn't recorded an assist since. Clark also has a game-high 5 turnovers.
Clark hits first WNBA 3-pointer
Clark has hit her first career 3-pointer, and of course it came on the left wing. She made more 3-pointers from the left wing last season at Iowa than any other location. She's now up to 7 points.
DiJonai Carrington making case for extension
With all eyes on Clark for her debut, this game is a potentially lucrative opportunity for her primary defender, DiJonai Carrington. Carrington is currently eligible for an extension on her rookie contract, but only until tomorrow, May 15. This is a prime spotlight for Carrington to make her case for a raise on her next deal.
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