Looking back at Caitlin Clark's three-point struggles in her rookie season

For the most part, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was spectacular in the WNBA in her rookie season, but for reasons mainly based on her playmaking ability and not her signature shooting.

Clark made her WNBA playoff debut against the Connecticut Sun last month. Unfortunately for the Indiana Fever guard, things didn't quite go to plan, with the Fever losing and Clark struggling for consistency with her three-point shooting.

Clark couldn't find the range, especially from three-point land. She finished 2-13 from distance in Game 1 against the Connecticut Sun.

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This tracks with the type of season Caitlin Clark has had as a WNBA rookie. It's been an up and down adventure.

On September 4th, Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 three-pointers in a season, registering her second career triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Clark connected on her second three of the game and her 100th of the season midway through the third quarter. She is the first rookie with 100 three-pointers.

The Fever finished with a record of 20-20, which signalled a notable improvement over their 2023 campaign. Clark's presence has had a lot to do with their success.

Although things looked to be clicking for Clark and the Indiana Fever, her shooting has been nowhere near the standard it was in college, where she became the NCAA leader in career points.

According to ESPN, Clark was a 37.7% shot-maker from beyond the arc for Iowa. However, since transitioning to the WNBA, it's gone down to 34.4% from three-point range.

When asked about her shooting slump in the WNBA, the Fever guard put it down to the physicality and toughness of the game and not reaching her personal best level on the floor.

Sportskeeda reports Clark said: "I feel like I definitely haven't shot it to the best of my capabilities this year, but I feel like I've had a lot of tough rolls... I think I'm definitely taking harder shots"

"I'm answered pretty well on a lot of shots. I honestly make a lot of the harder ones and miss the easier ones. I'm not always used to being wide open sometimes."

Clark has been subject to targeting throughout her maiden season in the WNBA, whether it was being winded by Brianna Stewart or being shoved to the floor by Chennedy Carter.

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The Fever guard has averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists in the WNBA this season, making her Indiana's most dangerous threat, and teams treated her as such.

Of seven flagrant fouls committed by the Chicago Sky, four were on Clark. Shockingly, of the total flagrant fouls committed in the league, over 15% of them were on Caitlin Clark.

Because of the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, the WNBA has seen TV viewership increase, the Indiana Fever has had an over 250% increase in home and away attendance, and the Fever store has seen an 1193% increase in jersey sales.

Clark is certainly the star attraction, but it seems as though the league needs to do a lot more to protect her so she can play to her best ability and continue to play for a long time.

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