Caitlin Clark, Fever focused on must-win game vs Sun despite record viewership: 'It's blinders on'

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Fever head coach Christie Sides on importance of starting Game 2 strong

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides talks to reporters ahead of the team's Game 2 matchup against the Connecticut Sun.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Caitlin Clark is used to setting records and drawing in crowds at this point in her rookie year. And when the Indiana Fever take the court in a must-win Game 2 against the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs on Wednesday night, it’ll be business as usual. 

The Sun spoiled Clark’s WNBA playoff debut when they routed the Fever 93-69 in Game 1 on Sunday. Despite heartbreak for Indy fans, the matchup drew in record numbers, averaging 1.8 million viewers and peaking at 2.2 million. 

DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun plays defense during the game against the Indiana Fever during round one game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.  (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

According to ESPN, the game marked the most-watched WNBA playoff game across all ESPN platforms ever and league’s most watched playoff game since the 2000 WNBA Finals.

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But for Clark and the Fever, the focus on Wednesday is soley on winning in Connecticut and forcing a Game 3 in Indiana for a chance to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2015. 

"I think it’s blinders on, and we’re focused," Clark told Fox News Digital before tipoff when asked about the team’s mentality. But the former Iowa star added that the numbers do say something about women’s basketball as a whole. 

"I think it’s what you would expect at this point in the season because it's been a record-breaking year for the WNBA in all sorts of ways. It doesn’t surprise me. The basketball has been really good."

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever shoots the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun during round one game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

WNBA PLAYOFFS: CAITLIN CLARK, FEVER LOOK TO FORCE DECISIVE GAME 3 AGAINST STAR-STUDDED SUN

"I think people were just so excited across the board about the playoffs and the matchups and the potential upsets and the great players that are in these series. So I think it'll continue to be something that people want to tune into and continue to watch," she continued. 

"But I don't think it affects us by any means. The arena is going to be sold out, there could be people watching on TV – you approach it as you do every other game. It's not going to be different for us." 

The Fever will need to be as focused as ever to stave off elimination. 

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) during the First Round and game 1 of the 2024 WNBA playoffs between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on September 22, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.  (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Clark scored just 11 points and missed 11 of her 13 3-point attempts, despite averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game heading into the series. 

"It’s just focusing on the next opportunity," head coach Christie Sides told reporters before tipoff. "This is just another opportunity for our team to be together and have a chance to show who we are and what we’re capable of doing and that we do belong here." 

"I think we have two great shooters in Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark and both those guys are ready to go. They’re ready for this next opportunity to show what they can do in these playoffs."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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