Despite record crowds, Caitlin Clark and Fever are concentrating on the must-win game against Sun: “We have blinders on”

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut – Caitlin Clark is used to setting records and drawing crowds in their rookie year. And when the Indiana Fever face the Connecticut Sun in a decisive second game in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on Wednesday night, it will be business as usual.

The sun spoiled Clark's WNBA playoff debut when they beat the Fever 93-69 in Game 1 on Sunday. Although it was heartbreaking for Indy fans, the matchup drew record numbers: an average of 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.2 million.

DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun plays defense during the game against the Indiana Fever in the first round of Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on September 22, 2024. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

According to ESPN, the game was the most watched WNBA playoff game on all ESPN platforms of all time and the 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 solely on winning in Connecticut and forcing a third game in Indiana to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2015.

“I think we have blinders on and we're focused,” Clark told Fox News Digital before the game 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 that's to be expected at this point in the season because it's been a record year for the WNBA in many 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 in the first round of Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

WNBA PLAYOFFS: CAITLIN CLARK AND FEVER AIM TO FORCE DECISIVE GAME 3 AGAINST STAR-SEEDED SUN

“I think people across the board have been so excited about the playoffs and the matchups and the potential upsets and the great players that are in those series. So I think it's going to continue to be something that people want to tune in and follow,” she continued.

“But I don't think it affects us in any way. The arena will be sold out, there might be people watching on TV – you approach it like any other game. It will be no different for us.”

The fever must be as concentrated as ever to avert elimination.

Indiana Fever defender 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 one 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 prior to the series.

“We're just focused on the next opportunity,” head coach Christie Sides told reporters before kickoff. “This is just another opportunity for our team to be together and show who we are, what we can do and that we belong here.”

“I think we have two great pitchers in Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark and they're both ready to go. They're ready for their next chance to show what they can do in these playoffs.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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