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Caitlin Clark’s groundbreaking rookie season in the WNBA might come to an end tomorrow in a win-or-go-home matchup against the Connecticut Sun, who hold a 1-0 lead in the series. Fittingly, Clark’s debut game was also against the Sun, the same team that now stands between her and the Fever’s elimination, potentially sending her into an early offseason until next April. The Sun, known for their top-ranked defense, are expected to bring a physical game similar to Sunday’s, where Clark was accidentally struck in the eye by DiJonai Carrington. The incident left Clark with a black eye, which quickly became a focal point in postgame discussions.
Caitlin Clark and DiJonai Carrington Latest Comments on the Incident
Tomorrow promises to be a showdown worthy of Clark’s Rookie of the Year season, although it won’t be easy for the Fever. Despite their slim chances, the game has yet to be played, and Clark is fully aware of that, appearing highly focused during today’s practice. When asked about the controversy surrounding Carrington’s hit, with some fans speculating it was intentional, Clark responded, “It wasn’t intentional by any means. You just watched the play, it wasn’t intentional.” Carrington, too, dismissed the claims, stating, “I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye.”
While Carrington’s explanation seems credible, a slow-motion video circulating online has raised some doubt. Regardless, this incident should remain in the past, and it will likely be forgotten after tomorrow’s game, no matter the outcome, that it would be best for Fever to win in order to have a definitive and highly attractive game three. However, much attention will be on how the referees handle the game, especially after all the buzz around this incident. Fans hope the officials won’t overshadow what could be a pivotal moment in the series.
Another Record for Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark’s playoff debut drew an average of 1.8 million viewers, surpassing any WNBA Finals game from last year and becoming the second-most-watched WNBA game in over two decades. This impressive viewership came despite stiff competition from the NFL, where the Baltimore Ravens played the Dallas Cowboys with Tom Brady in the commentary booth.
Drawing such a significant audience against an NFL game, particularly one involving the Cowboys, highlights the attention Clark has brought to the WNBA. Prior to this season, no WNBA game had averaged over a million viewers since 2008, but Clark’s presence appears to be changing that. Clark appeared in 34 Nielsen-rated broadcasts this season, including 32 Fever games, the All-Star Game, and the Draft, with more than half of those games surpassing the million-viewer mark.
