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ESPN Facing Backlash for Caitlin Clark Post During WNBA Playoff Debut

ESPN is under fire over a post they made about Caitlin Clark in her WNBA playoff debut with the Fever.

The Indiana Fever’s first-round playoff matchup with the Connecticut Sun last Sunday was one of the most highly-anticipated games in WNBA history. This is much thanks it being the WNBA playoff debut for the Fever’s star rookie Caitlin Clark, who has been breaking viewership and attendance records all season.

That said, the game didn’t go exactly as Clark and the Fever hoped it would. Indiana lost to Connecticut 93-69 after a questionable performance by the refs as a lot of fans were vocal about their frustration with the officiating. Regardless, Clark had a solid outing despite struggling early, finishing with 11 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.

Though these aren’t the numbers she typically puts up, it was her playoff debut in her rookie season, so expectations can’t be too high. Her first playoff points scored will likely be the first of many, making it a very celebratory occasion.

ESPN was quick to post her incredible achievement, but they have since been under fire after choosing to include a rough sequence before showing her score.

ESPN’s post was captioned, “first playoff points for Caitlin Clark after a hectic sequence”, which this fan thinks could have been avoided and more focused on the points. Waiting all season to see this achievement from Clark, it’s very weird that they would dilute the moment with unnecessary footage of a rough series of events.

Regardless of the reasoning, it’s unfortunate that the post was put together in that manner, as this is an accomplishment Clark should be celebrating for a very long time.

Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend has 1-word reaction to her AP WNBA Rookie of the Year win

Clark also finished 4th in WNBA MVP Award voting

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are on a 6-1 run, with Clark seemingly running away with the Rookie of the Year award. Colin Cowherd and Nick Wright ask if the WNBA is doing enough to support Clark’s rising stardom.

For Connor McCaffrey, there was no other choice for the AP WNBA Rookie of the Year for the 2024 season.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was named the award winner on Sunday, hours before the team fell in Game 1 of its postseason matchup to the Connecticut Sun. Clark was named the unanimous winner of the award, and it led to her boyfriend’s one-word response.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, warms up before game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Sept. 22, 2024. (Mark Smith-Imagn Images)

“Duh,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories.

Clark was also named to the All-WNBA First Team and All-WNBA Rookie Team. She also finished fourth in WNBA MVP award voting, though Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson won the award unanimously.

“This is a tremendous honor to be named The Associated Press Rookie of the Year,” she 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.”

Caitlin Clark, left, poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York, on April 15, 2024. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

The Fever guard broke the league’s single-season assist mark (337) and scored the most points ever for a rookie (769) en route to leading Indiana to the postseason.

Clark started all 40 regular-season games for the Fever and averaged 19.2 points per game. She was the first rookie to record a triple-double and the first player in Fever’s franchise history to record a triple-double. She set the WNBA record for most assists in a game with 19 against the Dallas Wings in July.