Caitlin Clark’s rookie season got here to an finish Wednesday at Mohegan Solar Enviornment because the Connecticut Solar proved an excessive amount of for the Indiana Fever. The presumptive Rookie of the 12 months dropped 25 factors in what proved to be the ultimate recreation of her first skilled season.
The Iowa legend was chosen first total by Indiana within the 2024 WNBA Draft following the Hawkeyes’ run to the nationwide championship. After a 1-8 begin to the season, the Fever — and Clark — settled into their id. Clark and veteran Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell made a case for finest WNBA backcourt popping out of the Olympic break as Indiana went 8-2 of their first 10 video games again.
Like different prime draft picks in years’ previous, Clark has been on a wild curler coaster since her NCAA profession resulted in April. Together with the rigor on the courtroom, Clark additionally shouldered the ups and downs of being arguably essentially the most recognizable identify in ladies’s basketball.
“The adversity that these guys went by way of, simply the the expectations that have been insane for us to start out this season, and what individuals thought we ought to be doing, and … the skin noise that these guys needed to needed to endure from recreation one until now, so hurtful,” Fever coach Christie Sides mentioned postgame. “They dealt with it and saved exhibiting up and saved coming in our locker room and saved discovering methods to get higher, and we freaking landed within the playoffs.”
By way of all of it, Clark’s recreation spoke for itself, and as she turned extra snug as a facilitator, the Fever discovered their stride.
Heading into the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Clark averaged simply over 19 factors and eight assists per recreation for the Fever. She tallied the first-ever rookie triple double and surpassed Ticha Penicheiro to grow to be the all-time rookie assists chief in her WNBA debut season.
Clark is predicted to be named the 2024 Rookie of the 12 months, and he or she may doubtlessly grow to be the sixth participant to win unanimously — the newest being her teammate Aliyah Boston final 12 months. As for the offseason, Clark hasn’t given it an excessive amount of thought, although Ryan Ruocco revealed on the ESPN broadcast Wednesday she “nearly positively won’t play basketball this offseason.”
“I used to be centered on beating the Connecticut Solar. I have not thought too far down the road. I do not know what I’ll do tomorrow. I do not know what I’ll do the following day,” Clark joked.
Regardless of not having concrete plans, the rookie guard appears ahead to taking a second to replicate on not simply her rookie 12 months, but in addition her senior season at Iowa.
“I really feel like I did not even have time to actually replicate on my school profession, as a result of it ended so quick, after which I got here right here and was attempting to offer all the things I may to this crew,” Clark mentioned. “I really feel like taking a while to myself and actually having fun with that and reflecting again … It’s going to positively be in all probability a little bit bizarre for me over the course the primary couple weeks. After which I am certain I will get bored and decide up a basketball once more.”
With the 87-81 loss, the Fever are eradicated from their first playoff look since 2016. With the win, the Solar advance to their sixth consecutive WNBA semifinals. Connecticut entered the WNBA playoffs because the No. 3 seed and can face both the Mercury or the Lynx within the semis.