"That swollen black eye affected her" — WNBA fans react to Caitlin Clark's disappointing playoff debut

Caitlin Clark played her first WNBA playoff game, but many were disappointed with her performance on Sunday. The Indiana Fever rookie struggled to make an impact, which led to the team losing their first playoff game against the Connecticut Sun. Fans shared their reaction to Clark's performance online.

The playoff intensity made it difficult for Clark to do her usual stuff on the court. She finished with 11 points, four rebounds and eight assists. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star shot 4-17 from the field, including an abysmal 2-13 shooting from beyond the arc. She also made an impact defensively with three steals.

But her struggles caused the team to lose the first game of the best-of-three games in the first-round playoff series.

A few fans had some things to say after her upsetting performance.

"That swollen black eye affected her," one fan referred to Clark getting poked in the eye during the opening quarter.

"I'm very disappointed with Clark's game, I expected a lot more from her," another fan expressed their disappointment.

"She was horrible no other way to slice it. She needs to be significantly better on Wednesday," a fan said online.

Other fans were a bit considerate of Clark's performance.

"It is Clark's first game in the WNBA Playoffs. She will learn and be better. Be patient," a considerate fan said.

"For having a black eye and scratched cornea she did good," another fan shared.

"Clark’s ability to facilitate and defend was still impressive," a fan said.

Game 2 will be on Wednesday, and that will be a do-or-die game for the Fever. The team needs to win its Wednesday game against Connecticut to extend its playoff hopes and potentially win the series.

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Caitlin Clark named unanimous Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press

The 2024 WNBA season has been an impressive campaign for Caitlin Clark. After the season wrapped, the Associated Press named her the unanimous Rookie of the Year. Clark finished the season averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists and shot 34.4% from beyond the arc.

Clark was also named part of AP's All-WNBA First Team. She joined Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson. AP also named the rookie star part of their All-Rookie Team with Kamilla Cardoso, Leonie Fiebich, Rickea Jackson and Angel Reese.

"This is a tremendous honor to be named The Associated Press Rookie of the Year," Clark said. "This recognition wouldn’t be possible without an incredible group of teammates and coaches, and we are looking forward to continuing an exciting regular season in the postseason."

The All-Star joined Aliyah Boston as the only Fever player to be named AP's Rookie of the Year.