Caitlin Clark Drops 25, But Indiana Fever Still Caught By The Sun
The rookie dazzles, but can’t burn the vets
It was do-or-die time for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, and boy, did Clark come ready to cook!
After her playoff debut flopped harder than a missed buzzer-beater, Clark entered Game 2 with a fire lit under her sneakers, hoping to scorch the veteran Connecticut Sun and keep Indiana’s playoff dreams alive.
Spoiler alert: she brought the heat, but the Sun didn’t burn that easily.
The Redemption Arc: From ‘Eh’ to Epic
Let’s rewind a bit. In Game 1, Clark had an off day “forgot your gym shorts on game day ’’ off. She scored a mere 11 points while shooting 4-for-17 from the field, a stat line she probably buried deep in her mental trash bin.
But, like the star we know she is, she bounced back faster than you could say “Rookie of the Year,” dropping 14 points in just the first half of Game 2. Yet, despite her efforts, Indiana still found itself chasing Connecticut like a dog after the mailman.
More Than Just a Shooter
Clark wasn’t just out there chucking up shots like your uncle during a backyard basketball game. Oh no, she was filling up the stat sheet like she was gunning for a triple-double.
By halftime, she already had six rebounds, and nine assists, and even managed to swipe a steal — because why not do it all? She orchestrated the Fever offense beautifully, setting up her teammates like a maestro in sneakers.
Aliyah Boston? Found her. Lexie Hull? Right on target.
Kelsey Mitchell? Yeah, she got fed too.
Clark was essentially Oprah out there: “You get a bucket! And you get a bucket!”
But as the game wore on, the Sun, showing how its playoff veterans turned up the heat. (pun intended.) It made big plays down the stretch, while the Fever’s defense melted faster than ice cream in July.
Clark’s Final Numbers? Chef’s Kiss
Despite the loss, Clark’s final stats were nothing to scoff at. She finished with 25 points, six rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and one block.
Sure, she had a couple of turnovers (three) and got into foul trouble with four, but shot 43.5% from the field and, more importantly, showed exactly why everyone keeps calling her “the future.” The only thing she didn’t do was coach the team and drive the team bus home.
But let’s be real — what’s a Caitlin Clark performance without a little drama from behind the arc? She went 3-for-12 from downtown, meaning she missed 75% of her threes. But when the ones that did go in were from “logo” range, it’s hard to stay mad.
‘Can We Have a Do-Over?’
Ultimately, the Fever couldn’t keep up with the Sun’s firepower, losing 87–81 and being eliminated from the playoffs. But even in defeat, Clark gave a glimpse of what was to come. It’s safe to say that the league better brace itself for her takeover as the rookie is just getting started.
For now, though, Caitlin Clark and the Fever will have to watch the rest of the playoffs from the sidelines. But something tells me the Fever will be back, and next time, the Sun might want to bring some sunscreen.
Thanks for reading my story.
Originally published at https://opportuneist.com on September 26, 2024.
