Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark opened up about her challenging welcome to the WNBA moment during her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, recalling the pain of rupturing her eardrum while defending against the New York Liberty. This incident marked a tough start to her journey in the league, but it ultimately became a defining experience in her historic debut year.
Clark had an extraordinary rookie season with the Indiana Fever in 2024, solidifying her position as one of the most remarkable newcomers in WNBA history. Drafted as the first overall pick, she quickly made her mark, earning both the WNBA and Associated Press Rookie of the Year honors. Her performance placed her among the elite, as she became only the third rookie in franchise history to start in an All-Star Game, joining the ranks of legends like Tamika Catchings.
Throughout the season, Clark set multiple records, including the most assists in a regular season and the most three-point field goals made by a rookie. Her remarkable ability to play at a high level was evident when she recorded a game-high 10 assists in the All-Star Game, showcasing her versatility as a player. Clark’s prowess on the court allowed her to lead the WNBA in assists per game, further emphasizing her playmaking skills.
One of the highlights of her season came on July 6, when she made history by recording a triple-double against the New York Liberty. This achievement not only marked her as the first player in franchise history to accomplish this feat but also established her as the only rookie in WNBA history to do so. In addition, Clark’s performance consistently ranked her among the top players, as she was recognized multiple times as the Rookie of the Month and Player of the Week.
Clark’s notable performances included scoring 30 points against the Washington Mystics, which set a franchise record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie. Later in the season, she broke the WNBA record for assists in a game with 19, demonstrating her exceptional skill and court vision. Her scoring ability culminated in a career-high 35 points in the final regular-season game, where she set the rookie scoring record with 761 points.
Indiana Fever Star Caitlin Clark Reveals Her Welcome to the WNBA Moment
Clark recently revealed the very moment she felt welcomed to the league. This can be seen in an article written by Adam Wells for Bleacher Report.
Appearing on the New Heights podcast (starts at 27:30 mark), Clark told Jason and Travis Kelce the moment came when she popped an eardrum trying to run through a screen on defense:
“We’re playing in New York versus the Liberty, who ended up winning the championship this year. And somebody set a screen on me, and, like, I hit my ear like just perfect on the girl where like my eardrum popped and like ruptured. And I knew it right away because I’d done it before. … It hurt so bad. I don’t know if you guys have ever done that.”
Clark experienced a defining moment in her rookie season with the Indiana Fever when she suffered a ruptured eardrum during a game against the New York Liberty. This incident occurred in her 11th game, where she scored a season-low three points as the Fever faced a tough defeat.
Despite this setback, Clark remained resilient, starting all 40 games and later making history by recording the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history. Her determination ultimately led her to win Rookie of the Year honors, solidifying her status as a rising star in the league.
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