Caitlin Clark, Fever Out of WNBA Playoffs with Loss to Sun as Fans Salute Rookie Year
September 26, 2024
A valiant comeback effort from Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever fell just short as the Connecticut Sun earned the two-game first-round playoff sweep with an 87-81 home win on Wednesday evening.
Clark finished with 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while teammate Aliyah Boston had a 16-point, 19-rebound effort.
But the Sun's balanced scoring attack proved too tough. All seven Sun players scored eight or more points, led by Alyssa Thomas' 19-point, 13-rebound evening.
Connecticut led 63-52 early in the fourth quarter, but Indiana chipped away and eventually responded with a 12-3 run capped by a Boston layup to go up 75-73 with 2:41 left. That run also included this off-balance Clark three following an initial double team.
WNBA @WNBACAITLIN. CLARK. 🤯<br><br>The Indiana Fever regain the lead for the first time since the 1Q on ESPN<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAPlayoffs</a> presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@google</a> <a href="https://t.co/wUcMDF9Rva">pic.twitter.com/wUcMDF9Rva</a>
Sun forward DeWanna Bonner made a layup in response before Boston added another two-point bucket.
But Connecticut then went on a 12-2 run. Bonner made a three to put the Sun up for good after Boston's bucket, and Marina Mabrey later hit a triple after Bonner stole a Kelsey Mitchell pass for a 81-77 edge.
WNBA @WNBADeWanna Bonner has an answer for EVERY SINGLE BUCKET the Fever are making in the 4Q 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAPlayoffs</a> presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@google</a> <a href="https://t.co/zrddcRFkbJ">pic.twitter.com/zrddcRFkbJ</a>
The Sun iced the game with free throws.
And with that, Clark's rookie season came to a close. The unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year starred in her first professional campaign, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. She led the league in three-pointers made and assists as well. The Fever also broke a seven-year streak of losing records and missed playoffs, going 20-20 (overcoming a 3-10 start) and getting the sixth seed.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportShoutout Caitlin Clark for an UNREAL rookie season 👏<br><br>⭐️ First rookie to record a triple-double<br>⭐️ WNBA record for mosts assists in a season<br>⭐️ Record for most threes made by a rookie<br>⭐️ Fastest player to 500 PTS & 200 AST<br>⭐️ Helped lead Fever to 1st playoff app. since 2016<br><br>And… <a href="https://t.co/DR8h7YkG62">pic.twitter.com/DR8h7YkG62</a>
Joe Pompliano @JoePomplianoCaitlin Clark had an incredible year:<br><br>• Set NCAA scoring record<br>• 18M viewers for the national title game<br>• #1 overall WNBA draft pick<br>• Rookie of the Year & WNBA 1st team<br>• Set viewership & attendance records<br>• Signed a $28 million Nike deal<br><br>Literally changed the game 👏 <a href="https://t.co/JcQNukKDyW">pic.twitter.com/JcQNukKDyW</a>
Bright days are ahead for Clark, Boston and the Fever. In the meantime, fans recognized Clark's exploits as her season came to an end.
73-9 and THEY LIED @CuffsTheLegendThank you Caitlin Clark for giving us the best WNBA rookie season we've ever seen! <br><br>You've changed women's basketball forever in just your first year in the league. It's only gonna get better from here! ⭐️ 🐐 <a href="https://t.co/THeSLy7tLf">pic.twitter.com/THeSLy7tLf</a>
Women's Hoops Network @WomensHoops_USACaitlin Clark ends her historic rookie season with:<br><br>• 19.2 ppg (7th in WNBA)<br>• 5.7 rebounds per game<br>• 8.4 assists per game (1st in WNBA)<br>•Countless records broken<br><br>Congrats Caitlin 🎉🎉🎉 <a href="https://t.co/kG5IuDi421">pic.twitter.com/kG5IuDi421</a>
Rachel Nichols @Rachel__NicholsMarina Mabrey is a stud. Hats off to the Sun, and what an incredible run for Caitlin Clark, who over the past six months set off a series of earthquakes that absolutely shook the sports world. The landscape is changing changing changing & it continues to be so much fun to watch.
As for the Sun, Connecticut has now made six straight WNBA semifinal rounds and awaits the winner of the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury series. The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces will play in the other semifinal.