Caitlin Clark's less-than-stellar WNBA debut isn't something fans should panic over
If fans are reviewing the 20 points Caitlin Clark scored in her WNBA debut, they’re likely happy with that number. Yet, other parts of Caitlin’s stat line were less-than-ideal, including breaking a record she probably wishes she hadn’t. Still, isn’t time to panic yet.
Remember a few weeks back when Caitlin Clark mentioned she wasn’t going to score 40 points a game? Her prediction of her WNBA future happened during her debut against the Connecticut Sun. Clark started the game with 2 fouls and 1 assist and missed her first four shots. She also started racking up turnovers really quickly — eventually setting the record for most turnovers in a WNBA debut — which seemed to frustrate her.
By halftime, Aliyah Boston had to take Caitlin by the arm to comfort and encourage the rookie. Sun guard-forward DiJonai Carrington’s sweltering defense gave Clark a ton of trouble early on, and there was very little that Caitlin could execute against Carrington’s pressure — Clark was a blistering 2-for-10 when DiJonai was guarding her. However, none of that should concern fans. Why? Caitlin’s in her learning curve right now.
Caitlin Clark on her debut @WNBA performance: pic.twitter.com/vPU7EZb9QS
— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) May 15, 2024
CAITLIN CLARK'S WNBA DEBUT
20 PTS
3 AST
10 TO
5-15 FG
4-11 3PTFever fall short 92-71 to Sun pic.twitter.com/Ui9o9ceZxf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 15, 2024
The WNBA is full of elite defenders and scorers that Caitlin hasn’t seen yet. The Fever and Caitlin looked out of sorts because the core is really young. Also, the Sun are highly underrated and seemingly didn’t have any drop-off Tuesday from their 2023 top-three ranked defense.
Not to mention, DeWanna Bonner is BUCKET. Alyssa Thomas, a walking TRIPLE-DOUBLE, was firmly in the MVP conversations last season and played like it. Plus, the rest of the Sun can probably score in their sleep. There were five players in double figures Tuesday evening. FIVE.
In other words, everybody needs to relax. Welcome to the WNBA, Caitlin.