Caitlin Clark took a brutal hit to the face in her WNBA playoff debut Sunday night, leaving the Indiana Fever rookie with a black eye.
Clark’s first major league playoff appearance did not go as planned, as the Fever fell 93-69 to the Connecticut Sun.
And not only did she struggle in the game (her 11-point output was far below what she’s used to this season), but the 22-year-old also had to roll around on the floor in pain early on after taking a poke to the eye.
Just 90 seconds into the first-round playoff game, Clark was knocked to the ground by Connecticut guard DiJonai Carrington, who appeared to push her as she attempted to block the ball.
No foul was called despite the contact leaving her in agony before the Sun claimed victory in Game 1.
Caitlin Clark
In his post-match press conference, Clark sported a light black eye on his right eye following Carrington’s finger to the face, despite playing down the incident.
“Obviously, it hit me pretty hard in the eye,” he told reporters of the eye poke.
‘I don’t think it affected me. I had some good shots, they didn’t go in. It’s a tough time for that to happen. I had three very open shots in the first half, which is something I normally make.
“I didn’t feel good when it happened, but I don’t think it affected me.”
Clark, who was named WNBA Rookie of the Year earlier in the day, was limited to just 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds in the game as she struggled to make her usual impact against an inspired Connecticut.
Marina Mabrey’s incredible 27-point haul off the bench propelled the hosts to victory in Game 1 of this first-round playoff series, with Game 2 to be played Wednesday night.
Just 90 seconds into the playoff game, Clark was knocked to the ground by Connecticut guard DiJonai Carrington, who appeared to push her as she attempted to block the ball.
No foul was called even though the contact left the 22-year-old dying on the ground.
Clark sported a black eye on his right eye at his postgame press conference.
The Sun’s Alyssa Thomas also recorded her 15th career triple-double to spoil Clark’s playoff debut, finishing with 12 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for her fourth postseason triple-double.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 21 points and Aliyah Boston added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana.
The Sun came into the race with 222 playoff games under their belt, while the Fever had just 19, including none among the starters. This was Indiana’s first playoff appearance since 2016. Connecticut head coach Stephanie White was in charge of the Fever that year.
