CLARK SUFFERS FROM ROCKY WNBA DEBUT AS FEVER FALL TO SUN

Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, faced a challenging debut in the WNBA, ending the night with 20 points and a record 10 turnovers as the Indiana Fever lost to the Connecticut Sun 92-71 on Tuesday (Wednesday in PHL).

Clark struggled from the start, missing her initial shots and remaining scoreless through the first quarter. Her difficulties were amplified by Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington, who played tight defense throughout the game, contributing to Clark’s early woes.

Despite her initial struggles, Clark managed to score her first professional points in the second quarter, including a drive from the foul line and a 3-pointer shortly before halftime. She finished the half with seven points, but the Fever trailed 49-39.

The Fever briefly closed the gap in the third quarter, but the Sun maintained control, with Clark unable to significantly change the course of the game despite hitting four 3-pointers. The Fever ended the game with a total of 25 turnovers, highlighting areas needing improvement.

Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas had a standout performance, recording the 12th triple-double of her career with 13 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. DeWanna Bonner also shone, scoring 20 points and moving into fifth on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, a milestone she acknowledged with enthusiasm to the crowd.

Indiana coach Christie Sides noted the team’s struggles, particularly with spacing and turnovers, and planned immediate reviews to address these issues.

Adding to the night’s events, the Sun welcomed back Brionna Jones, who played her first game since a severe Achilles tendon injury last June, contributing eight points in her return.

As Clark and the Fever look to rebound from this defeat, the focus remains on reducing turnovers and improving overall team coordination. | Jessica Hill/AP Photo