Caitlin Clark (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
The Indiana Fever were confident about facing the Chicago Sky on Sunday as they were the more dominant side in their previous two meetings. However, the results didn’t go as per their expectations and a tiny part of the blame falls on Caitlin Clark.
The point guard who usually impresses basketball lovers with her phenomenal shooting skills might have disappointed some with her decision not to shoot in the crucial moments of the game. Following the 87-88 loss, Clark justified her action.
Addressing the matter in the post-game press conference, the 22-year-old stated, “I’m sure there was an opportunity or two for me to probably attempt another shot there at the end, but I trust my teammates… I’m gonna give them the ball every time.”
There was a particular instance in the final quarter when Clark seized a defensive rebound. She quickly ran with the ball to the other side of the court but, instead of aiming for the bucket, she looked around to pass the ball to her teammates. Clark found Kristy Wallace, but her shot stubbornly refused to hit the target.
That was not it. The ball was still with the Fever. However, the former Iowa guard passed it on to Aliyah Boston. Clark might not have won the game, but she surely won the hearts of her teammates.
Clark put up 17 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals on the Indiana scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Sky.
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Her journey in the WNBA has been anything but smooth, with all the attention, criticism and altercations. One more added to the list with her recent injury.
Caitlin Clark Provides Injury Update
Prior to Sunday’s game, Caitlin Clark disclosed to the media the consequences she had to face while going up against tough opponents.
While speaking about welcome moment in the league, Clark said, “I actually ruptured my ear drum when we were in New York on a tough screen….great screens, I just didn’t hear them. So, it’s kind of my own fault.”
The rookie hinted at the clash against the NY Liberty earlier this month. During the final quarter of the game, Clark went up the court and hit straight into the screen set by Liberty’s Jonquel Jones.
She soon left for the locker room after picking up an ear injury and on returning Clark remained on the bench for the rest of the game. The game resulted in a 104-68 win for the home team.
VIDEO: Diana Taurasi Destroys Narrative That She Dislikes Caitlin Clark With Her Behavior During Their Recent Matchup
Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi (Photo via Yahoo/Twitter)
Much has been said in the months leading up to Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi doing battle on the court.
It all started with Taurasi having much to say about the No. 1 draft pick back in April.
‘Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing,’ she told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter, when asked about Clark getting ready to play against grown women in the WNBA.
‘And that’s just life, we all went through it… You look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds but you’re going to come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time,’ Taurasi added.
‘Not saying it’s not gonna translate, because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better,’ she continued. ‘But there is gonna be a transition period, where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.’
On Sunday, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were on the road to face the Phoenix Mercury in a highly anticipated matchup.
Once on the court, there seemed to be no bad blood between Caitlin Clark and WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi.
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Right at the start of the game, Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi could be seen embracing each other with a hug.
ESPN cameras then caught Taurasi saying something to Clark that had her laughing on the court.
Also Read: The Entire Internet Is Roasting Diana Taurasi Following Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Debut
Indiana Fever Troll Diana Taurasi Over Caitlin Clark After Comeback Victory
Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi may be all good with each other, but the franchise certainly was not going to miss the chance to troll the veteran star.
“Reality check,” the Fever tweeted along with a graphic celebrating their 88-82 win.
Taurasi stated those same words to Clark months ago following the completion of her college career at Iowa.
In the game, Caitlin Clark had 15 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds,although she shot 4-for-14 from the field and had six turnovers, according to ESPN.com.
Taurasi finished with 19 points and three steals while shooting 5-for-14 from the field.
