Caitlin Clark’s much-awaited WNBA debut didn’t go well Tuesday night.
Widely acknowledged as the GOAT in women’s college basketball, the Indiana Fever rookie struggled with her shot, ball security and defense in a 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun. Although Clark finished with a team-high 20 points, she hit only 5-of-15 shots. She also had a whopping 10 turnovers, a WNBA record for a player’s debut. She also appeared lost defensively several times.
Clark’s struggles became such a storyline that ESPN’s camera followed her off the court at halftime as Fever teammate Aliyah Boston tried to encourage her.
Aliyah Boston coaching Caitlin Clark after struggling in the first half. pic.twitter.com/8RD0rGZvfe
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 15, 2024
The reactions on social media were all over the place. Many fans, looking at Clark’s past accomplishments, know she can play and are confident she’ll be fine. They point out the WNBA is a far more competitive level than NCAA basketball, and she will need time to adjust.
On the other hand, a sizable social media contingent predictably checked in with a knee-jerk reaction, ready to label Clark a bust. After one game. Really.
Yet Clark was wildly successful in a couple of respects in her WNBA debut. She helped sell out the arena, and she generated plenty of buzz on social media. And when’s the last time that happened for a WNBA rookie?
Caitlin Clark has struggled tonight with turnovers and fouls. But she’ll be completely fine, but this is what Diana Taurasi was talking about and people took it as “hate.” There will be a slight adjustment period but she’s going to find her groove soon. #WNBA
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 15, 2024
Comments on Caitlin Clark are falling in 4 camps. 1 she is overrated, 2 She is being held back by everyone else on purpose 3. She just a rookie in a competitive league (this is my camp). And 4 the worst all women players suck and I only watched the game to prove this point.
— Lafayette Pierre (@lafpierre) May 15, 2024
This is exactly what Diana Taurasi was talking about and the internet was too busy calling her a hater cause they all were up Caitlin’s ass lol https://t.co/U69LsYUe5b
— therealdevonepratt (@DP25_) May 15, 2024
Caitlin Clark was looking like Larry Bird in College. Now, she looks like Superman, weaken by krypt Night https://t.co/78KBPlGzfs
— Mi$taCaLii (@MistaCaLii) May 15, 2024
A rookie having rookie struggles. Caitlin Clark will be just fine. The only reason people are talking is because “yall” were quick to classify her as the 🐐, which by the way just puts unrealistic expectations on her. #wnba https://t.co/lgVA1gyIrl
— jade (@Dxjaaa_) May 15, 2024
Caitlin Clark has so much pressure on her shoulders it’s insane. She’s a rookie playing in her first game in the WBNA. Let her be a rookie. https://t.co/jYGrise3xp
— B (@BrookieStubbs) May 15, 2024
is Caitlin Clark the most overrated basketball player in history??
— Alex (@ItsCinematicc) May 15, 2024
Caitlin Clark’s offense will be just fine (20 points so far in her debut w 4 3s) and the turnovers will come down as she learns her teammates… The defensive end is where she really has to improve as she’s been lost a few times on screens and backdoors… #FeverRising
— EP (@epark1016) May 15, 2024
[ESPN]
