Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas trucked Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game, part of a heated second half of WNBA basketball.

Clark was carving up Connecticut in the period, ripping a five-point sequence to keep Indiana ahead before Thomas intervened.

INDIANAPOLIS – Head coach Christie Sides holds back Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the first quarter against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS – Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun takes a shot over Damiris Dantas #12 of the Indiana Fever during the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 28, 2024. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

After a three by Clark and a tough layup, Thomas caught Clark with a hard pick, sending the rook to the ground with a vengeance.

Thomas was called for an offensive foul after the hard fall by Clark.

This time, Clark took the hard hit from Thomas and dished some tough love back.

She winked at the crowd and stuck her tongue out as she jogged back on offense with her Fever teammates, letting Thomas know she was on her radar.

(Hard hit or good flop? Send us your thoughts: [email protected].)

Gainbridge Fieldhouse welcomed several stars to Wednesday’s historic game. Clark’s former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder and TV icon David Letterman were spotted in the crowd and Team USA gymnast Simone Biles. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was also in the building.

Clark had 17 points after three quarters and finished the game with 19. Earlier in the game, Clark smashed another WNBA rookie record after hitting her 86th three-pointer of the year, breaking the single-season record mark for a rookie.

Indiana snapped an 11-game losing streak to Connecticut with an 84-80 win.

On Friday, Clark and the Fever take on Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.