Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut got off to a rocky start, but she still managed an impressive scoring total by the end of her first professional game.
The Sun claimed a dominant 92-71 win against Clark and the Fever in the season opener. For Connecticut, DeWanna Bonner led the way with 20 points while moving into the fifth place on the WNBA's all-time scoring list. Alyssa Thomas recorded her WNBA-leading 12th career triple-double (13 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds), including the regular season and postseason.
Clark scored 20 points in her debut, tied with Bonner for the game high. But halfway through the game, the 22-year-old rookie seemed destined for a much worse day.
MORE: How DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun shut down Caitlin Clark
At halftime, the former Iowa phenom had scored just seven points. While she added three 3-pointers in the second half to boost her score, she also had 10 turnovers as well, tied for eighth-most in a single game in WNBA history.
The Sun looked too smooth in their opener, with contributions from just about every player who entered the game. The Fever, on the other hand, showed their growing pains in a messy game, which they'll need to clean up in order to beat the Liberty on Thursday.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Clark's debut in the Fever-Sun WNBA game.
MORE: Watch Fever vs. Sun live with Sling TV
Fever vs. Sun score
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
Fever | 13 | 26 | 18 | 14 | 71 |
Sun | 19 | 30 | 15 | 27 | 92 |
Caitlin Clark stats
- Points: 20
- Rebounds: 0
- Assists: 3
- Steals: 2
- Blocks: 0
- FGs: 5-15
- TOs: 10
Caitlin Clark live updates, highlights from 2024 WNBA debut
All times Eastern.
Final: Fever 71, Sun 92
9:11 p.m. – Crown her. Bonner becomes the fifth WNBA all-time scoring leader. She has 16 points on the night, 6,897 on her career, heading into the fourth.
The bucket that moved DeWanna Bonner into 5th place on the WNBA all-time scoring list! ✅
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 15, 2024
Congrats, DB pic.twitter.com/dvauFvmnEA
8:56 p.m. – Like butter. Clark's second 3 of the game gives her 10 points on the night.
Caitlin Clark lets it fly from beyond the arc 👌 pic.twitter.com/7D1UwWPAnj
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 15, 2024
8:47 p.m. – No. 1 pick? No problem for Carrington. She put on a defensive masterclass against Clark all while having the best quarter of her career, scoring 14 points all in the second.
Dijonai Carrington is putting the clamps on Caitlin Clark 🔒 pic.twitter.com/pGQ7MlXIqb
— ESPN (@espn) May 15, 2024
Halftime: Fever 39, Sun 49
8:32 p.m. – Indiana found some momentum to close out the half, powered by a Clark 3, but it wasn't enough to come within more than 10. The Sun lead 49-39 partway through.
8:20 p.m. – For three!
Caitlin Clark knocks down the first three of her @WNBA career 🎯 pic.twitter.com/In99gxA6MU
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 15, 2024
8:22 p.m. – No one can stop Carrington. Clark's fourth turnover makes it too easy for the Sun as she scores an open layup for her 14th point.
8:11 p.m. – A layup gives Clark her first career points! They come with 5:17 left in the second quarter. The Fever still trail 32-23.
Caitlin Clark's first career points in the @WNBA 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ahD10c123c
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 15, 2024
8:07 p.m. – Connecticut is rolling! Jones makes it an 11-point lead for the home team.
8:00 p.m. – It was a difficult first quarter for Clark. She's scoreless through the first after playing five minutes and making three shot attempts. Smith leads the Fever with seven points while Harris's nine has the Sun on top after one.
7:45 p.m. – At the first timeout, Connecticut leads 10-7.
7:36 p.m. – The wait is over. Clark takes first possession for the Fever.
7:17 p.m. – Here's how we line up:
Fever
- Katie Lou Samuelson
- Caitlin Clark
- Erica Wheeler
- NaLyssa Smith
- Aliyah Boston
Sun
- Dijonai Carrington
- Brionna Jones
- Alyssa Thomas
- Tyasha Harris
- DeWanna Bonner
6:50 p.m. – Good news, Fever fans. Kelsey Mitchell is available tonight after missing most of training camp with an ankle injury. She looks ready to go in warmups.
6:17 p.m. – Clark's shoe game tonight, you may ask? Easy – the Grinches.
6:00 p.m. – Connecticut has already shown up and shown out. It's the Sun's first home opener sellout since the franchise's first season in 2003.
The line to get into Mohegan Sun Arena about two hours before Sun-Fever tipoff, aka Caitlin Clark’s first pro game. pic.twitter.com/aFo7B7gAY0
— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) May 14, 2024
5:49 p.m. – For the first time, introducing Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark has arrived for her first @WNBA game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ni3qbmP4BK
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 14, 2024
5:34 p.m. – They're not at home tonight, but the Fever already have their home court ready for the season.
all in the details 🔬
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 14, 2024
a closer look at our brand new court for the 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/M2snDnDIb3
5:10 p.m. – In just two hours, Clark will take the court for her WNBA debut. It doesn't get much better than that.
Fever vs. Sun start time
- Date: Tuesday, May 14
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Fever and Sun tipoff for the first time in 2024 on Tuesday, May 14. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET live from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
How to watch Fever vs. Sun
- TV channel: ESPN2 (U.S.) | TSN 5 (Canada)
- Live stream: Sling
Indiana-Connecticut will be broadcast on ESPN2 in the U.S. and TSN 5 in Canada.
Those who prefer streaming can watch the game on Sling.
Caitlin Clark WNBA schedule
Here's a look at the upcoming Fever schedule and where to watch each game.
Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
May 14 | at Sun | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2, TSN 5, Sling |
May 16 | vs. Liberty | 7 p.m. | Prime Video |
May 18 | at Liberty | 1 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
May 20 | vs. Sun | 7 p.m. | ESPN, TSN 4, Sling |
May 22 | at Storm | 10 p.m. | WNBA League Pass |
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