Connecticut Sun And Turnovers Spoil Caitlin Clark's WNBA Debut

The lead-up to Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut was hot. Clark's debut performance, on the other hand, was cold.

Following a legendary run for the Iowa Hawkeyes, expectations were sky-high for the new Indiana Fever star.

Clark faced the Connecticut Sun before a sold-out, 10,000-person crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena. She finished the game (a 92-71 loss) with 20 points (5-of-15).

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - MAY 14: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever attempts a shot against Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun during the fourth quarter in the game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - MAY 14: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives against DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun during the fourth quarter in the game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

During the third quarter, Clark's turnover near the halfcourt line made her dad, Brent, shake his head with dismay. Tuesday's game was a stark contrast to Clark's first game in the WNBA preseason, in which she scored 21 points, 16 of which came in the first half. Rather than starting strong such as in her first outing, Clark led a choppy first half against Connecticut, headlined by a scoreless first quarter. Clark led a better second-half performance against the Sun, back to draining deep shots and swallowing tough contact.

READ: Caitlin Clark Crushes In WNBA Indiana Fever Debut, Drops 16 Points In First Half

Connecticut's fast-break offense broke the Fever. Indiana matched or beat Connecticut on the boards and three-point shooting; ultimately, the Sun starters had more offensive juice than Clark and the rest of the Fever's cast.

Sun starter Dewanna Bonner passed former Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever player Candice Dupree on the WNBA's all-time scoring list with her 6,897th point against the Fever on Tuesday. Bonner finished with 20 points in the game. Four of Connecticut's starters finished in double digits.

Clark's first game in the pros was highlighted by her high number of turnovers against the Sun. She turned the ball over nine times, a WNBA record for a player's debut.

Clark unquestionably suffered the dreaded ‘learning curve’ expected ahead of her debut.

Don't expect Caitlin to have ‘sea legs’ for long. For now, the Sun team spoiled Clark's big day.

Despite being so early in the season, one has to wonder what could go wrong if Clark and the Fever don't cause as big of a splash in the WNBA as everyone forecasts. 

Thus far, the league has invested heavily in Clark as a star player capable of bringing the league to relevance.

OutKick founder Clay Travis proposed the following on X, following Indiana's loss: 

"How long does Caitlin Clark fever last if her team stinks and she’s like the 34th best player in the WNBA? Women’s college basketball is more fun to watch than the WNBA. Ratings have proven that to be true for decades."

Clark and the Fever take on the New York Liberty at home on Saturday.

UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 14: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the Connecticut Sun on May 14, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

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