Despite crossing off two significant milestones Thursday night, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had an otherwise rough performance in her team’s 90-88 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Clark turned in a season-worst line in the loss, shooting just .250 from the field.
Following the close loss, Clark declined to speak to the media, per multiple reports. When asked about Clark’s availability, team PR said she was not going to speak Thursday.
While Clark has turned in a strong season thus far, Thursday was not her night. The Fever guard went just 3-for-12 from the floor, including 2-of-6 from three. She finished the game with 16 points after going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
In addition to her struggles from the field, Clark finished with a team-high five turnovers and posted a negative plus-minus for the first time all season.
Despite that, though, the Fever still had a chance to send the game into overtime late. With 0.6 seconds left on the clock, the team inbounded the ball to Aliyah Boston, whose final shot went wide, sticking the Fever with the narrow loss.
Clark’s decision to not speak with the media following the loss was unusual, as the Fever star generally makes herself available. The move comes amid multiple similar situations in the NBA, where San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama received a warning from the league after shirking his media duties following a poor performance in a Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jalen Williams declined to speak to media following a Game 6 loss Thursday. Williams, who missed time with a hamstring injury, struggled in his return, scoring just one point in 10 minutes on the floor.
It’s worth noting that Clark once missed post-game availability due to a migraine. If that was the case Thursday night, the Fever did not mention an injury or illness for Clark following the loss.
Clark and the Fever will likely address the issue soon. The Fever play their next game Saturday night, and Clark will almost certainly be asked about her actions following Thursday’s close loss to the Valkyries.