Playing in front of a packed and loud crowd was nothing new for Caitlin Clark, who made her WNBA debut in a 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday.
The competition, however, was another story.
Clark re-entered the game in the fourth quarter, with her Indiana Fever trailing by double digits. If the first three periods hadn’t been trying enough, a new challenge awaited Clark: five-time WNBA All-Defensive selection Alyssa Thomas was about to pick her up on the perimeter.
Clark attempted to create some space from Thomas but couldn’t shake her, ultimately giving up the ball to Aliyah Boston in the lane with a few ticks left on the shot clock. Boston couldn’t create a look quick enough, and the Fever committed a turnover, their 21st of the game.
It was that kind of opener for Indiana, as its heavily hyped offense was stifled by the veteran Sun. The Fever gave away the ball 25 times and took 16 fewer shots than Connecticut, delaying Clark’s first WNBA win for at least one more game.
There are barely any open seats at Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut.
The game tonight marks the Sun’s first sold-out home-opener since their inaugural match at Mohegan Sun Arena back in 2003 🔥
🎥 @benpickmanpic.twitter.com/2Evxe8Zah1
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 14,…
