The Indiana Fever went into halftime with a five-point lead, but lost in frustrating fashion to the Minnesota Lynx after a weak third quarter in which they scored just 12 points at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night.
And Caitlin Clark, who had 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while setting the franchise record for most three-pointers made in a season despite a loss, admitted to reporters after the game that she needed to better control her emotions on the court.
“I think I got fouled a couple times in the second half on mid-range jump shots,” Clark said. “It happens. Sometimes they call it a whistling, sometimes they don’t. That’s just the way it is. I think I got a little too into it on mid-range jump shots, but I think I got jostled a little bit and honestly tried to fake a shot to get them to foul me.
“I mean, I think I could have controlled my own emotions a little better.”
One play in particular from the third quarter illustrates Clark’s argument perfectly. Clark faked a shot and brought Lynx star Napheesa Collier into contact, but the referees did not call it. The Fever rookie then fell to the ground and stayed there while the Lynx took advantage of their power play with a quick two-point basket on the other end.
Caitlin Clark admitted she let her emotions get the better of her during Friday’s game against the Lynx
“I think I could have controlled my own emotions a little better.”
This was probably the low point of the evening, as Minnesota scores after Clark is on the floor pic.twitter.com/XDoO7s3AKu
— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) 7 September 2024
While Clark felt she and the entire Fever team needed to do more to stop the third quarter “snowball effect,” she added that ultimately she didn’t want to see her passion and the team’s passion change.
“I think there’s a limit and sometimes your passion, your emotion can get to be too much,” Clark said. “But that’s not something I or anyone on our team would ever change.”
These are valuable learning experiences for Clark and the Fever ahead of the WNBA playoffs, which begin on Sept. 22. Indiana secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016 in early September.
