UNCASVILLE, CT – The Connecticut Sun beat the Indiana Fever by double digits Tuesday night to spoil Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut in front of a historic sellout crowd on the opening night of the league season.
Clark, heavily guarded by the Sun’s DiJonai Carrington, went scoreless in the first quarter and went 2 of 7 from the field, including 1 of 4 from deep, with no rebounds, one assist and five turnovers in the first half to help the Sun. to maintain their double-digit lead.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever controls the ball, defended by DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun, during the third quarter of the game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Fever head coach Christie Sides called out the team’s critical turnovers, 10 of which came by Clark.
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“We don’t have a lot of practice time for our next game,” Sides said of Indiana’s quick turnaround in hosting the New York Liberty on Thursday night.
“Tomorrow we’ll be in the gym and watching a lot of video trying to figure out how not to turn the ball over 25 times for 29 points.”
Clark’s struggles were evident early on, but she was able to adjust in the second half and finished with a team-high 20 points.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacts in the second quarter against the Connecticut Sun during the game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Elsa/Getty Images)
“I thought our first two possessions were good, and then they kind of went from strength to strength and we really struggled to score,” Clark said after the loss. “We really haven’t touched on much.”
FEVER’S CAITLIN CLARK, STEADY AHEAD OF WNBA DEBUT: ‘I’M NOT REALLY NERVOUS’
Clark attributed the physicality of the Sun and some “unusual” moments on its part for the high turnover rate.
“I think collectively, 25 turnovers is going to make it very difficult for us to win.”
Despite the loss and slow start, Clark’s popularity within the WNBA continued.
The crowd of nearly 9,000 fans roared when Clark’s name was called on the field. The Suns said Tuesday’s game marked the first time since the franchise’s inaugural season in 2003 that a home opener was sold out.
Fans seen wearing shirts and holding signs in support of Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever before a game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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Clark’s first touch of the game drew similar cheers, rivaling the cheers from the home crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Tuesday was Clark’s second sold-out match in his professional career. In his preseason debut against the Dallas Wings earlier this month, Clark dropped a team-high 21 points in front of a packed arena.
Taking the field for the first time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse last week, Clark also drew a record crowd of 13,028 — a franchise record more than triple last season’s 4,000.
Indiana opens the season at home on Thursday when it hosts the Liberty at 7 p.m. ET.
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