Caitlin Clark’s WNBA career hasn’t quite gotten off to the terrific start many expected based on her record-setting final season in the NCAA.
Her 14.5 points and 4.5 assists through two games for the Indiana Fever lead her rookie class. But so do her 6.5 turnovers per game. She is shooting just 30.4% from the field and 27.8% from 3, which is well below her 46.2% shooting and 37.7 3-point shooting at Iowa.
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Clark’s initial struggles may come as a huge surprise, especially for those unfamiliar with the WNBA. But given the context of who she’s played against so far, her slow start makes a lot more sense.
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Why Caitlin Clark has struggled in the WNBA
It’s normal for WNBA rookies to start off slow
The WNBA is one of the most talent-laden leagues in the world. Because there are just 12 teams and 144 total roster spots, every single player is highly accomplished.
Clark and other rookies typically learn this the hard way. The 22-year-old guard even admitted that she was struggling with the higher caliber of athletes as compared to her time at Iowa.
“The physicality is definitely up there. I’m easily pushed off screens,” Clark said Thursday, via ESPN. “The game seems a little fast for me right now. The more I play and the more comfortable I get, it’s going to slow down a little bit. It will be easier for me to make reads, see things develop.”
Caitlin Clark is facing some of the best defenses in the WNBA
The Fever’s schedule hasn’t done Clark any favors. Their first two games were against two of the league’s best defenses in the Sun and Liberty, who finished second and third in defensive rating last season.
Those two teams also have tremendous individual defenders who gave Clark problems. Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington and New York’s Betnijah Laney-Hamilton are both physical, athletic veterans who are among the tougher players that Clark will face.
Things won’t get any easier for Clark in the short term — she has games against the Liberty, Sun, Sparks and Aces coming up in the next week. Those were the top four defensive teams in the league last year.
Caitlin Clark is still developing chemistry with teammates
Aliyah Boston, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, was last season’s Rookie of the Year and will one day be a key pick-and-roll partner with Clark for Indiana. She’s been a great source of support off the court. But on it, the two are still working things out.
“Our players who have been here, it takes time to get used to how she plays, it takes time for her to get used to how they play,” Fever coach Christy Sides told reporters on Thursday. “It’s just a process.”
Clark has also played more off the ball than she did last season at Iowa. Her teammates haven’t been able to get her the ball quite as often as she’s used to, which could be affecting her rhythm.
Fever coach Christie Sides is still learning how to best use Clark
Clark isn’t being optimized on the Fever yet. That is totally understandable given that it’s only been two games.
Teams are guarding Clark very aggressively, top-locking against her to deny her the ball when she is coming off screens. That has prevented her from receiving passes, much to the chagrin of her fans.
Sides knows that it’s an issue, and she’s working on it. “We’ve got to do a better job of getting her more open looks,” she said after Clark’s debut.
Opposing defenses are also forcing her to pass on pick-and-rolls, bringing two defenders at her with hard shows.
Clark has seen these defenses before, but not with the caliber of athletes that the WNBA has. She’s turned it over 13 times through her first two games.
That’s not to say that all of her passes have been bad. She has beaten that same coverage a number of times. She’s also set up plays that don’t end up as assists but lead to great shots.
The passing from Caitlin Clark has been there when she’s found space. Nice bounce pass to hit Fagbanle rolling. Got the Liberty in rotation and you saw what it opens up. More purpose from the Fever in the 2nd half. pic.twitter.com/4dOYisYUEt
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) May 17, 2024
