Shaq rejects Barkley’s comments about pettiness surrounding Caitlin Clark
Shaquille O’Neal disagrees with Charles Barkley’s comments about the pettiness surrounding Caitlin Clark in the WNBA.
Sport in Seriousness
Caitlin Clark scored eight points and had eight assists, but the Indiana Fever lost their final game of the regular season at Washington 92-91.
The game wasn’t very important, as Indiana had already secured the sixth playoff spot. The Fever will face third-seeded Connecticut in the first round. The series will be best-of-three, with the first two games scheduled to take place in Connecticut. If a third game is necessary, Indiana will host it.
Clark played less than 20 minutes in Washington on Thursday, something Fever coach Christie Sides warned about in pregame Thursday when she said the team would be extra cautious with all of its starters. Clark made 2 of 5 field goals, both of which were three-pointers. She also grabbed five rebounds and a steal.
Clark finished the regular season averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals (a league-high). (Clark also had a league-best 5.6 per game in turnovers, but it’s common for guards who have the ball in their hands that often to rank high in that stat category as well.) She broke numerous records in her first year as a pro and is the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year next week when all the league awards are announced.
The Fever had a scare moment when defender Kelsey Mitchell, in top form after the Olympics, sprained her left ankle early in the game. Mitchell was slow to return to defense and went straight back to the locker room after being substituted. Mitchell did not start the second half, but she warmed up after the break, meaning benching her was likely a precautionary measure – she played less than five minutes.
Kristy Wallace led the Fever with 17 points Thursday, while NaLyssa Smith added 16. Sika Kone had 20 for Washington.
