The Connecticut Sun’s suffocating defense torpedoed the long-awaited professional basketball debut of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.
O two-time national player of the year struggled through much of her first WNBA regular season game as Clark worked on each of her 20 points in Connecticut’s convincing 92-71 victory.
At the first of the Sun sold out at premiere since 2003fans at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville divided their loyalties, cheering on their hometown team and Clark in the most celebrated professional appearance in women’s basketball history.
The building roared as Clark drilled each of his four 3-pointers, but the highlights were hard to find. Connecticut forced the Fever guard into 10 turnovers and held her to just a trio of assists.
She committed two touch fouls in the first quarter, leading to an early break on the bench. And when Clark was on the floor, Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington and his teammates gave the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft little room to operate.
Clark didn’t score his first points until there was 5:24 left in the second quarter. The rookie gained a little more offensive footing in the second half, scoring 13 points after the break.
But turnover was still a problem, with five giveaways each semester.
Meanwhile, Connecticut senior DeWanna Bonner scored 20 points to move up to No. 5 on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list.
Indiana is pinning your hopes in Clark as the franchise looks to improve on last season’s league-worst 13-27 record.
The Fever’s home opener is scheduled for Thursday against last year’s WNBA runner-up, the New York Liberty, at 7 p.m. ET. Gainbridge Cottage in Indianapolis.
This game will be streaming on Amazon Prime and broadcast locally on NBC affiliate WTHR in Indianapolis and WWOR in and around New York City.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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