The Indiana Fever are back in the playoffs after a historic rookie season from Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old has not just been the best rookie. She is already one of the top players in the W, and her team rallied around her to make the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
Clark kept getting better as the season went on. She was an All-Star and figures to be a runaway winner in Rookie of the Year, but all of that is not enough. Clark wants to win in the playoffs.
The Fever are the sixth seed and face the Connecticut Sun to open the playoffs. Clark had her first WNBA game against the Sun and squared off with them four times this season. How has she fared?
Caitlin Clark struggled in her WNBA debut versus Sun
The number one overall pick in the 2024 draft missed her first four shots and went scoreless in the opening quarter on May 14.
The Sun dominated the contest as Clark finished with 20 points, three assists, two steals, and ten turnovers. She made four 3-pointers but hit just five of her 15 field goal attempts. There was certainly disappointment, but they did not have to wait long before getting another crack versus Connecticut.
Fever lose their fourth straight to open season as Clark cannot solve Sun
Just six days later, the two sides squared off again. Not a ton went right for Clark in this one. She played through an ankle injury and dealt with foul trouble. The 22-year-old was on the floor for just 27.4 minutes, which was her third-lowest total of the season.
Clark finished with 17 points, five assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and five turnovers on May 20 as the Fever lost by four. They had chances to secure their first win of the season, but Indiana faltered down the stretch as the Sun moved to 3-0 on the young season.
Caitlin Clark produces a dud as Sun dominate 3rd meeting
Clark again dealt with foul issues in a third straight loss to the Sun. She finished with ten points, two assists, and one steal in 22.0 minutes of action. The six-foot guard made three of her eight field goal attempts but failed to score in the second half. Clark did not play in the fourth quarter as the Sun won by 17.
The Fever dropped to 3-10 on the season with this defeat as the Sun moved to 10-1. The two sides were at extremely different places. Clark was adjusting to the W as Connecticut was eager to prove they were still serious contenders after making the semifinals in five straight years, but failing to win a title.
Fever get revenge as Caitlin Clark breaks record in win over Sun
Indiana finally got a victory in their fourth and final regular-season meeting. The Fever were at home as Clark finished with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and seven turnovers in 37.6 minutes. She shot just seven of 17 from the field but broke the record for 3-pointers made by a rookie.
The Fever were in the early stages of a five-game win streak and certainly looked like legit contenders in this 84-80 win.
Caitlin Clark’s stats versus Connecticut Sun this season
Clark averages 16.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game against her first playoff opponent. It is her third-lowest scoring average versus a franchise and by far her lowest assists per game. Clark has shot just 39.2 percent from the field and 34.3 percent on his threes in this four-game sample.
DiJonai Carrington and the Sun have done well in slowing Clark down and making things difficult for her. The Fever may have to rely more on Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston if they want to pull the upset in the playoffs. Nothing will come easy for Clark, but fans know the 22-year-old can still put up monster numbers.
The Indiana Fever are back, and Caitlin Clark is just getting started. Will it result in defeating the Connecticut Sun to open the playoffs? It is one of Clark’s toughest matchups, which is just another chance to prove her doubters wrong.