Sophia Michaels
Caitlin Clark’s debut playoff game in the WNBA ended with disappointment as her team, the Indiana Fever, fell to the Connecticut Sun with a score of 69-93 on September 22, 2024. It wasn’t just the lost game that marred Clark’s experience; she suffered a painful black eye during the match. The incident occurred when DiJonai Carrington accidentally struck Clark’s face while trying to intercept a pass, resulting in Clark immediately falling to her knees from the impact.
Caitlin Clark with a finger to the eye!
Intentional or unintentional?#FeverRising
— CMSLA[G]LE (@cm_slagle) September 22, 2024
After the blow, Clark struggled considerably but managed to finish with only 11 points, a stark contrast to her usual average of 16 points for the season. In the post-game press conference, she downplayed the injury, asserting that it didn’t impact her performance. “That hit to the eye was pretty rough,” Clark admitted, “but I was still getting decent shots, they just didn’t go in.” She mentioned missing a few clear opportunities, stating, “It’s unfortunate timing, especially since I had several open shots in the first half that usually register,” but asserted, “I don’t think it affected my game.”
fans filled social media with debates about whether the incident was accidental or intentional. One user commented, “If [DiJonai] hadn’t been nasty towards Fever fans and CC all season, I’d think it was on accident. But her past leads me to believe otherwise.”
Social media users duke it out over Clark’s injury
This incident led to rampant speculation on social media as fans analyzed the game, hoping to determine the nature of the injury. Despite their efforts, no consensus emerged; some assert DiJonai Carrington acted with malice, while others maintain it was an accident.
In contrast, Carrington appeared unfazed, neglecting to address the incident in her post-game remarks. Instead, she talked about teammate Tyasha Harris’ ankle injury, emphasizing the critical role she plays on the team. “Ty is vital for us, and we hope it’s not serious,” Carrington noted in a post-game interview. “Injuries are common, and we always have to adapt, which we saw today from players like [Marina Maybrey] and [DeWanna Bonner].”
Fans were quick to point out the absence of any questions regarding Carrington’s controversial play. One viewer lamented, “Why was there no mention of the most significant incident during the game?” while another remarked on the “dirty plays,” emphasizing, “Such acts should be scrutinized in interviews.”
#TeamClark is gathering steam
Clark, a polarizing figure in the WNBA, is no stranger to controversy, and the incident with her black eye has further ignited discussions among fans. Much of the conversation now revolves around this latest debacle, diverting attention from previous gossip about her relationship with another player, Angel Reese, which dominated discussions during their college years.
Despite her mixed reputation, it seems many fans have rallied around Clark following this incident, condemning Carrington online. Some passionate comments were made on a video discussing the event. One fan expressed frustration with perceived “less than sportsmanlike” behavior, stating, “I’m tired of seeing players like CC and AB being unfairly treated. Carrington weaponizes her nails, and her actions are unacceptable.” Another insisted, “There should be a rule preventing long fingernails in games!”
