Creativity in the WNBA comes at a price.
Being the primary playmaker means putting yourself in a position to make mistakes. Even the league’s most talented creators can fumble the ball from time to time, especially when shooting against a voracious defense.
In a sport that is increasingly defined by tactics, a defense that can trouble opponents’ ball carriers can be very successful in the league.
For Caitlin Clark, a first-year Fever guard, such matchups can prove daunting. It’s not because Clark doesn’t have the talent to succeed at the next level – he certainly does. However, the quality of the players and the quality of the defensive system is at a higher level than the game has ever seen.
MORE: How Sun defeated Caitlin Clark in her WNBA debut
Add to that the fact that in 2023 she was given the keys to an attack that was stagnant at times, and performances like Clark’s debut – in which she regularly batted the ball – could have cluttered her calendar early in her career.
STREAM: Watch the biggest games of the WNBA season on Sling
Most turnovers in a single game in WNBA history
Clark captured the hostility of some quarterbacks in the living room in her regular-season debut, giving up 10 turnovers in the face of Connecticut’s frenzied defense. The show gave Clark a piece of WNBA history, albeit a discouraging one: it was the eight-most turnovers scored in a single game in WNBA history.
Even among WNBA regular-season debuts – which is notoriously difficult to predict – Clark’s struggles have been paramount. She gave up the ball more often than any other rookie in league history and set a Fever franchise record for most turnovers in a single game while coming against Stephanie White’s Hawks, per Alexa Philippou of ESPN.
It was far from a classic performance by Clark, who fought under the watchful eye of DiJonai Carrington. Nevertheless, there is good news for those in Clark’s camp. The list of players who have recorded double-digit turnovers in a single WNBA game is filled with stars, including MVPs, Hall of Famers and countless All-Stars.
Rank
Player
Turnover
Team
Year
1
Kristi Tolliver
14
Sparks
2015
T2
Angel McCoughtry
11
Dream
2014
Crystal Langhorne
11
Mystics
2011
Diana Taurasi
Mercury
2010
Betty Lennox
11
Lynx
2000
Chamique Holdsclaw
11
Mystics
1999
Michelle Edwards
11
Rockers
1997
T8
Caitlin Clark
10
Fever
2024
Courtney Williams
10
Dream
2020
Tiffany Jackson-Jones
10
Shock
2011
DeMya Walker
10
Monarchs
2006
Becky Hammon
10
Freedom
2004
Nikki McCray
10
Mystics
1998
Caitlin Clark Statistics
Statistics
Total
Steering
20
Collections
0
Assists
3
Steals
2
Blocks
0
Turnover
10
Fouls
4
FG% (FGM/FGA)
33.3 (5/15)
3-point % (FMG/FGA)
36.36 (4/11)
% of free throws (FTM/FTA)
100.0 (6/6)
News
“No bloody joke”: Temi Fagbenle gained social media admiration for defending Caitlin Clark and criticizing Chennedy Carter’s actions, exciting fans.
“No bloody joke”: Caitlin Clark’s teammate, Temi Fagbenle, has earned widespread admiration on social media for speaking out against Chennedy Carter’s undisciplined actions towards Clark. Fagbenle’s candid and strong defense of her teammate has struck a chord with fans and…
‘Wameh doing and Wameh things’: Despite advocating for “Women Empowerment,” they criticize Caitlin, claiming she doesn’t do anything that the other girls can’t do, so they have a right to be upset.
In the fast-paced world of basketball, where athleticism and skill are celebrated, there exists a paradoxical situation within the realm of “Women Empowerment.” Despite the rhetoric surrounding support for women in sports, there are instances where female athletes face criticism…
Teresa Weatherspoon Praises Angel Reese for Courageously Overcoming ‘Harsh Media Criticism’ That Made Many Angry and ‘Spout Profanity’
The dark side of popularity really exists. Not many would know this better than Chicago’s rookie Angel Reese. From her very entry into the LSU Tigers to her everyday moves, she has known what it feels like to be under…
Gabbie Marshall and Caitlin Clark: 5 Instances Where the Former Iowa Duo Showcased Their Heartwarming Friendship in the 2024 WNBA Season
Caitlin Clark and Gabbie Marshall’s best moments. The former Iowa star hooper Caitlin Clark has made her way to the WNBA as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft class. Accompanied by her other talented teammates like Gabbie Marshall…
Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve is fed up with the hype surrounding Caitlin Clark, and might not want her on Olypic squad. How stupid! Dismissing Clark’s impact seems shortsighted, as she’s drawing unprecedented attention to the league.
Indiana Fever star and 2024 WNBA No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark‘s popularity continues to grow and it’s to a point that even the current legendary WNBA coaches are a bit annoyed with the media and corporate infatuation with the NCAA’s…
WNBA officiating needs to dial back the physicality that often overshadows the players’ talent. Did you read the Fever’s coach’s comments about Caitlin Clark being absolutely exhausted and she thought she was going to have to go on the court and help her to the bench she was so tired??
The issue of physicality in WNBA officiating has come under scrutiny recently, with concerns that it often overshadows the players’ talent. The comments made by the Fever’s coach regarding Caitlin Clark’s exhaustion highlight the demanding nature of the WNBA and…
End of content
No more pages to load
