- WNBA. 'We'll be a lot better' - Clark reacts to her lukewarm postseason debut
- WNBA. Caitlin Clark's rookie MVP snub sparks outrage from Fever coach Christie Sides
Caitlin Clark's playoff debut did not go according to plan. One of the most celebrated rookies in WNBA history, Clark missed 10 of her first 11 shots on Sunday afternoon as her Indiana Fever fell to a disappointing 93-69 loss to the Connecticut Sun. And the WNBA playoff format -- a best-of-3 first-round series -- means the Fever must course-correct in Game 2, or else their season is over.
Faced with the end of her record-breaking rookie campaign, Clark has tried to live in the moment and stay as even-keeled as possible despite the ups and her downs in her debut pro season. Clark became the youngest player in 16 years to finish top-5 in league MVP voting, and she was the unanimous Rookie of the Year selection as she guided Indiana to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Clark dismisses narratives, focuses on rallying against Connecticut
Speaking to reporters, Clark discussed what it meant to her to finish fourth in MVP voting after breaking the league's single-season assist record as well as its rookie scoring record. The 22-year-old responded with humility that has come to define her -- and stands in opposition to her fanbase.
"My life is very unaffected by that. I'm just going to try to go out there and help my team," Clark said Sunday. "Obviously, our goal (was) to get to the playoffs, but I have a belief that we can come in here and we can win this series."
As the saying goes, pressure makes diamonds, and Clark is no stranger to the stress of a "must-win" situation. She guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to consecutive national championship games in 2023 and 2024, defeating high-powered opponents along the way and etching herself into NCAA history with a slew of scoring records.
Now faced with a win-or-go-home scenario on Wednesday night, Clark knows that another slow start against the Sun is likely to end the Fever's season and make their stay in the playoffs a short one. A scenario like that can be a breeding ground for superstardom -- the trajectory Clark is so clearly on, which she will look to reaffirm in Game 2.