Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever face elimination against Connecticut in Game 2

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever faced a critical moment in their WNBA playoff journey as they prepared for Game 2 against the Connecticut Sun. After a challenging playoff debut where Clark scored only 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting, the Fever aimed to stave off elimination in this best-of-three series. Despite the setback, Clark recorded eight assists and remained optimistic about her performance, stating that she was ready to embrace the challenge ahead. The incident of being poked in the eye by DiJonai Carrington early in the game did not deter her, as she reported it did not affect her play significantly. The Fever's performance in the playoffs has drawn significant attention, with their games achieving record viewership. The first game of the series averaged 1.8 million viewers, marking it as the most-watched playoff game on ESPN since the 2000 Finals, despite competing with NFL broadcasts. This surge in interest is attributed to the presence of Clark and her fellow rookies, who have positively impacted attendance and ratings for the league. Indiana Fever's games have consistently attracted large crowds, leading the league in attendance both at home and on the road. The Fever averaged over 17,000 fans at home games and more than 15,000 on the road, prompting four teams to move their home games to larger venues to accommodate the influx of fans when Indiana visited. As the Fever look to force a decisive Game 3 in Indianapolis, Clark's determination and the team's collective effort will be crucial in overcoming the Connecticut Sun and keeping their playoff hopes alive.