TOP NEWS: Following Indiana Fever’s third consecutive defeat, WNBA players defend Caitlin Clark’s early problems.

The best female basketball player from Iowa is not accustomed to losing.

After losing to the New York Liberty 91-80 on Saturday to start the 2024 WNBA season, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are still without a win. But Clark did appear like the player who broke multiple records as an Iowa women’s college basketball sensation, scoring a new career-high 22 points in the defeat.

After being selected by the Fever with the first overall pick in the previous draft, Clark was criticized for her early troubles during her rapid transition to the WNBA in May. However, the WNBA is now standing up for Clark.

Veteran Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty stated after the game, “I think the media needs to give her a little bit of grace and time to develop into a player.” “While playing, she’s picking up new skills in each game. She will undoubtedly have a huge impact on this league, and it will only get bigger as she gets older. But please, man, give her some time. Take a look at Kelsey Plum, who describes her experience as a rookie in the league and her current status as a player. Please be kind to her.”

As she begins her rookie season, even former UConn women’s basketball great and current WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart expressed similar feelings about Clark.

“Obviously when you come into this league and you’re the No. 1 pick, everyone’s going to know where you are on the court at all times,” Stewart stated.

She’s trying to make that pocket throw; this squad will develop during the season as they learn where to put the ball depending on what opponents will do. I consider us up here to be respectful. We’re obviously aware of her exceptional skill level and are doing all within our power to challenge her.”

Clark’s WNBA career started with an average of 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists through three games. She made 40% of her field goals, of which 32.1% came from 3-point range. However, those figures pale in comparison to what she accomplished in his final season at Iowa, when she averaged 31.6 points per game on 45.5% shooting from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc.

Monday night’s game between the Indiana Fever (0-3) and the Connecticut Sun (2-0) is a rematch. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET.