The first regular season of the Caitlin Clark era officially came to an end as the Indiana Fever lost their final game on Thursday to the Washington Mystics, 92-91.
Indiana is now looking towards the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Clark's arrival has given the Fever a boost in just one year, and the team is now gearing up for a playoff series as one of the most popular franchises in the WNBA.
For many of Clarke's teammates, it's a stark contrast to the squad before she was drafted No. 1 overall in April: They weren't used to winning, they weren't used to playing in front of sold-out crowds or the intense media attention that Clarke's presence demands.
Point guard Kelsey Mitchell told reporters before Thursday's game that the public would know less about her without Clark, adding that she's accustomed to a more introverted approach to her job.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Let's be realistic, without 'C Squared' (Clark's nickname), nobody would notice, so shout out to Caitlin!” Mitchell said when asked about gaining more attention and fans this season.
“She's done an incredible job of rallying her fans and people behind her, and I've always kept a low profile so I laugh about it but embrace it at the same time. I've always been a very conservative, introverted person and now I get to see the other side of it.”
“It's not like people are going to watch my plays. Now that they are, I just want to do right by them. I don't want to screw it up.”
According to Nielsen, all 14 of the WNBA's most-watched games this season have been Indiana games, and the team's games rival those of the NFL. On September 6, with many tuning in to an NFL game in Brazil, the Minnesota Lynx versus Indiana Fever averaged 1.26 million viewers on ION, giving the network another WNBA game this season averaging more than 1 million viewers.
Now that the Fever is in the postseason, the league has the potential to record historic playoff television ratings.
Shooting guard Erica Wheeler spoke to reporters about Clark's presence this season.
“All you can do with Caitlin Clark is plays. She doesn't take anything too seriously,” Wheeler said. “She always tells everybody she's really a kid at heart. … There are times when we have to be serious, and we do, but most of the time we have fun. You have to understand that the outside world was trying to get into this building, and we just didn't allow it.”
“And having fun is a great way to filter that out.”
Clark's rookie season was mixed.
Caitlin Clark's boyfriend is changing jobs – how does she feel?
During the Fever's recent game against the Dallas Wings, Clark came close to picking up his seventh technical foul of the season, which would have resulted in the rookie being suspended for one game.
During the game, Clark was walking down the court after a turnover. She looked up at the replay and immediately began complaining to the officials. Kelsey Mitchell put her arms out to stop Clark from going to the officials, while Aaliyah Boston pulled Clark away and yelled “no” to prevent her from receiving a technical foul.
Thanks to the intervention of his teammates, Clark finished the game without receiving a technical foul.
Clark has been on the receiving end of a number of controversial fouls from opposing teams this season, which have been a concern for her and the entire team.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark signs mini-basketballs for fans after a game against the Dallas Wings on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
In their final game against the rival Chicago Sky a few weeks ago, Chicago's Diamond DeShields sent Clark flying across the floor for a foul that was later upgraded to a flagrant foul.
Clark was the recipient of an infamous illegal hip check from Chicago Sky forward Chennedy Carter on June 1. After the game, Clark said, “That hit was not a basketball play.” Sky rookie Angel Reese hit Clark in the head with her arm as he tried to block a pass during a June 16 game.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) signs merchandise during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx at Gainbride Fieldhouse, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA Today Network)
The hit on Clark became such a problem during the superstar's rookie year that former NBA player Joakim Noah suggested the Fever sign an “enforcer” to protect her from harm.
“If I owned Indiana Fever, I'd hire a real enforcer to protect her,” Noah said. He told Fox News Digital“Sometimes I feel like she's under attack because she's so talented. But at the end of the day, we're here to win games. So if I were the owner, [of the Indiana Fever]I'm going to have a real enforcer there.”
Follow Fox News Digital X's sports coverageSubscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
