Fever Fall In Season Opener; Clark Drops 20 in First Game

 Fever Fall In Season Opener; Clark Drops 20 in First Game; 

The GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY of 1st Game vs Connecticut 

By Deon Cash

Caitlin Clark, the lady who single-handedly has risen the WNBA in the marketing and showcase department, played in her first game in the WNBA last night, as the Indiana Fever played on the road against the Connecticut Sun.

The Sun, who were a playoff team last season, used a variety of defenses and schemes on Clark and Aliyah Boston, the Rookie of the Year from last season. Mix in arguably two of the top defenders in the W in Alyssa Thomas & DeWanna Bonner and the Fever had no chance in the season opener, falling 91-72.

The game was actually a 8-point game going into the final quarter, in which the Sun dominated in the 4th to seal the deal.

Bonner led the Sun in scoring with 20 points and Thomas did her usual, recording a triple-double with 13pts 10 reb,13 assists & 3 steals, as Connecticut had 5 players in double figures in a balanced effort. 

Clark, despite not scoring until halfway into the 2nd quarter, led the Fever with 20 points. NaLyssa Smith had a good game with 13 points and 9 rebounds.  Boston had only 6 points and 4 boards in the loss.

While Clark found the groove offensively in the 2nd half after getting 2 early fouls in the 1st quarter, her ball control was off, amassing 10 turnovers in her debut.

When asked about what was some of the issues that she had in the game, Clark responded. 

"The physicality, and some uncharacteristic stuff. I pick up the ball and travel, I dribble off my foot, so just a few things I need to clean up. Have to be crispier with my play." 

Here's our GOOD, BAD, & UGLY from the season opener. 

THE GOOD 

Clark responded after a tough 1st half to drop 20 in a subpar overall game....Nalyssa Smith continued to show why she will be a force in a breakout season....Despite the inefficiency with the ball, the Fever battled and showed heart until the 4th, when the Sun took over the game....Kelsey Mitchell made her debut with 8 points after missing the entire pre-season with a back injury....Erica Wheeler was 100% from the field, the line, and the 3....The Fever shot 48% from the field and the bench shot 66%. 

THE BAD 

The 1st quarter and the 4th quarter....The inability to get Boston the ball in offensive situations...Lexie Hull & Celeste Taylor getting a DNP. 

THE UGLY

The Fever had 25 Turnovers....Clark had 10 of them...The 4th quarter they were outscored 27-14...

WHATS NEXT?

The Fever will host the Eastern Conference Champions in the  New York Liberty on Thursday Night in the home season opener at 7pm ET.