WNBA: SEP 21 Indiana Fever Practice and Media Availability - Source: GettyCaitlin Clark on the WNBA’s playoff intensity (Image credits: Getty)

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are set to play Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday. In Game 1, Clark struggled to make an impact, which led to the eventual loss. The rookie guard only had 11 points, four rebounds and eight assists, and failed to help the team overcome the 93-69 loss.

Clark now understands what playoff intensity is like in the professional league. The team’s season is on the line on Wednesday, so the All-Star understands what’s at stake. This is her first taste of the WNBA playoffs, so the NCAA tournament is her only experience in a playoff environment.

However, she noted a difference in levels of intensity from the college game to the pros. According to Clark, the ferocity of the WNBA is far different from what she experienced at Iowa.

WNBA insider speculates factor behind Caitlin Clark’s Nike signature shoe delay

Curt Miller reacts to Dearica Hamby’s emotional farewell message following his Sparks departure: “You are one of a kind”

Jason Whitlock claims stark contrast in WNBA & NFL injury protocols after Caitlin Clark’s eye-poking incident

“In the standpoint of, this is a win or go home situation. This is very different than college and it’s a learning process for me too,” Clark shared. “Obviously this is my first playoffs, a lot of us on this team’s first playoffs. We’re all kind of going through it at the same point and learning. You don’t always know what to expect because a lot of us have never been here.

“The most experience I have is from college… At the same time, I’m just trying to learn it and go with it. I feel like I’ve been in a lot of high pressure, intense games and that’s what the playoffs is. It’s not anything you shy away from.”

Despite the lack of experience from the rookie, she’s still focused on setting an example and tone for her team. As the focus of Game 2, Clark is determined to keep the Fever’s season alive and potentially extend the series.

DiJonai Carrington defends herself after accidentally poking Caitlin Clark’s eye

DiJonai Carrington poked Caitlin Clark in the eye, sending her to the ground in the first quarter of Game 1. What made fans more upset was the fact that the sequence didn’t earn a foul call from any of the referees. Since the incident, many fans have been angry at Carrington for hurting the 2024 AP Rookie of the Year.

“I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye. It doesn’t even make sense to me. But no, I didn’t. I didn’t know I hit her actually. I was trying to make a play on the ball,” Carrington said. “I guess I followed through and I hit her and so it was never intentional, that’s not even the type of player I am.”

Critics have given their feedback on Carrington’s action toward Clark, with their rivalry in the regular season. NBA analyst Jason Whitlock even urged for the league to suspend the Connecticut player.