The Indiana Fever struggled mightily on Sunday, losing 104-68 to the New York Liberty. Rookie star Caitlin Clark, fresh off a controversial game against the Chicago Sky, shot 1 of 10 from the field and had only three points. The Liberty's Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton led the way for New York.
The Indiana Fever's tough start to the season continued on Sunday, as they suffered a crushing 104-68 defeat to the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. The Fever, coming off a controversial win over the Chicago Sky the previous night, were outplayed in every aspect of the game.
Rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, who became the subject of controversy in the Sky game after a hip-check by Chennedy Carter, struggled mightily against the Liberty. She shot a dismal 1 of 10 from the field, including 1 of 7 from three-point territory, and finished with just three points.
Meanwhile, the Liberty's stars put on a clinic on their home court. Breanna Stewart had 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Sabrina Ionescu added 16 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Jonquel Jones dominated the paint with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton contributed 20 points and five assists.
The Fever, who are now 2-9 on the season, were clearly fatigued from the physical and emotional toll of Saturday's game against the Sky. Sky guard Chennedy Carter was seen hip-checking Clark during that game, and her teammate, Angel Reese, celebrated the hard foul with a clap.
After the game, Carter refused to answer questions about Clark, but her actions spoke volumes. She liked and reposted defenses of her actions on social media, and later ripped into Clark in a post on Threads.
"That's that on that cause beside three point shooting what does she bring to the table man," Carter wrote.
Clark, who has faced criticism for her perceived lack of physicality, took the high road in her response to Carter's foul.
"I wasn't expecting it. It is what it is. It's a physical game. Go make the free throw and execute on offense, and I feel like that's kind of what we did," she said.
However, Fever general manager Lin Dunn and head coach Christie Sides were less forgiving.
"There's a difference between tough defense and unnecessary – targeting actions!" Dunn wrote on social media. "It needs to stop! The league needs to 'cleanup' (sic) the c--p! That's NOT who this league is!!"
Sides added, "I'm trying not to get fined. I'm just going to keep sending these possessions to the league and these plays. Hopefully, they'll start to … take a better look at some of the things we see happening or we think is happening."
Clark's fans have rallied around her on social media, but Carter has also received support. She posted on her Instagram Story that she "loves the hate more than the love" and suggested that Clark had flopped on the play.
Regardless of the controversy, Clark knows she has a target on her back entering her rookie season. How she responds to such challenges will be crucial to her and the Fever's success this year.
