Caitlin Clark’s season in the WNBA continues to be one for the history books, but it hasn’t come without its share of challenges.
On Wednesday night, Clark once again found herself the target of some rough defensive tactics during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun. In front of a star-studded audience that included Olympic gold medalists, Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas, Clark was sent crashing to the court after a hefty body check from Connecticut’s center, Alyssa Thomas.
The incident, which left fans fuming, was only called a common foul, sparking outrage on social media. “That’s not basketball,” one fan wrote on X, with others calling it a “cheap shot.” Despite the physical play, Clark managed to shake off the hit and continue her impressive performance, a testament to her resilience in her first year as a pro.
Caitlin Clark got laid out on this screen by AT pic.twitter.com/cYfAbEKZo0
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) August 29, 2024
But she got hers:
Caitlin Clark splits the defense and gets the floater to fall 🛟 pic.twitter.com/tHeIsTIlfG
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 29, 2024
And what a performance it was. Clark broke the WNBA single-season record for three-pointers, nailing her 86th of the year in the first quarter and finishing the game with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. This milestone surpassed the previous record set by Rhyne Howard in 2022, further cementing Clark’s status as one of the league’s rising stars.
Caitlin Clark runs Dijonai Carrington into her own teammate and drains the bomb #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/mAxq2uDn1u
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) August 28, 2024
The Fever, who have struggled in recent years, secured a hard-fought 84-80 victory over the Sun, snapping an 11-game losing streak against Connecticut that dated back to July 2021. The win also marked Indiana’s fourth victory in their last five games since the Olympic break, moving them up to seventh in the WNBA standings with a 15-16 record.
Kelsey Mitchell played a pivotal role as well, scoring 23 points and setting a franchise record with her fifth consecutive game, scoring 20 or more points. Her growing chemistry with Clark has become a key factor in Indiana’s recent success. “I value what Caitlin brings to the table,” Mitchell said in a postgame interview, praising Clark’s ability to shoot and create opportunities for her teammates.
In a game where neither team led by double digits, Indiana’s depth proved crucial. Lexie Hull, in just her second start of the season, contributed 17 points and eight rebounds while also hitting four three-pointers alongside Mitchell. Hull’s clutch free throws in the final seconds sealed the win for the Fever after a crucial steal by Temi Fagbenle thwarted Connecticut’s last chance to tie the game.
Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas, who played a physical game herself, finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists, but her efforts weren’t enough to overcome Indiana’s balanced attack. The Sun, despite the loss, still holds an impressive 22-8 record.
The game, which was already packed with drama and intensity, was made even more special by the presence of Biles and Thomas, who posed for photos with the Fever players after the game. Clark, who has already achieved so much in her young career, continues to be a player to watch, not just for her records but for her ability to rise above adversity, both on and off the court.
