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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever suffer the same fate as they did in game 2 of the season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis. New York Liberty won 91-80 even when the Fevers had the last two quarters. Such was the start of Liberty that they dominated the first half just like the previous game. But who would have thought that fans would turn on Caitlin Clark so quickly after her professional debut?

Ever since her WNBA debut, the scrutiny around Caitlin Clark has only increased. The former Iowa player made a new career high in the WNBA with 22 points. But that wasn’t enough to inspire the first victory for the Fever.

Although she got the career-high score there was one moment in the game that potentially showed Clark’s weakness. ” Caitlin Clark getting done how the Bad Boys Pistons did MJ 😂😂,” a clip shared by Hater Report said. Breanna Stewart continued her excellent form from game 2, becoming the highest scorer of the night with 24 points secured. And as the clip shows, her dominance over Clark continued as she executed a legal screen, allowing lessened defensive pressure on ball handler Courtney Vandersloot, which had some choice words from fans.

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While any of Fever’s teammates could have called her to avoid it on the screen the fan’s focus was on how easily Clark went to ground.

Fans are done with the Caitlin Clark effect?

It was another stellar performance from Breanna Stewart, who added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals to her game-high points. She was joined in on the excellence by her teammate Jonquel Jones, who hit a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Seeing this performance one fan wrote how the players felt like it was a personal mission to dominate Clark.

 

Apart from 22 points Clark contributed with 8 assists 6 rebounds and making 9 field goals out of 11 attempts. Yet once again she gave away 8 turnovers. Her average turnover for the 3 games comes down to 7 per game, and one fan on X commented how nobody will go easy on her. Further having one say that the 22-year-old could send in a notice soon.

 

Obviously seeing how the buzz since the draft has been around for Clark, one fan was unhappy with her opposition players. Echoing the sentiment shared by broadcaster Colin Cowherd a few days ago. ” The 28th year of the WNBA… they have never had a player either good enough or interesting enough to drive marketing, revenue, and TV ratings so that the entire league can fly private…Don’t put Caitlin Clark up in the first four games against New York twice and Connecticut twice.”

Previously some fans called out some WNBA veterans for their comments on Clark. But one fan feels Diana Taurasi only spoke the truth and did not hate Clark as she had remarked, “Reality is coming,” during Clark and Iowa’s clash with UConn. She had highlighted that while one might feel ‘superhuman’ triumphing against 18-year-old’s, it would be washed away facing professionals. The user thus, agreed, that Clark was in transition phase and would find her path soon. In line with it, some vets have shown support for Clark after a disastrous WNBA start.

 

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Clark is finding her rhythm but needs to control turnovers. The pacing of the league is way different than any NCAA tournament. And to overcome the difference one fan suggests hitting more weights.

 

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By the end of it all, as several have pointed out, Caitlin Clark just needs time to adjust to the league. Even Breanna Stewart was in agreement with the view. “She’s your No. 1 pick and No. 1 picks continue to grow and develop into this league and really make their mark,” she said post-game, asking audience to ‘give her some time’.