The Indiana Fever rookie’s debut season was filled with record-breaking stats, but what really defined her first year wasn’t a triple-double—it was getting her eardrum ruptured.
Caitlin Clark, WNBA Rookie of the Year. Triple-doubles, record-breaking assists, and enough highlight reels to fill a whole season. Sounds like a smooth rookie year, right? Well, not quite. Turns out, the defining moment for the Indiana Fever guard wasn’t setting records—it was an ear-splitting screen that literally blew her eardrum out. Yeah, you heard that right (even if she didn’t at the time).
In a season where Clark was relentlessly targeted by veteran players looking to send a “welcome to the WNBA” message, her stats may have stolen the spotlight, but it’s a different moment that Clark remembers most. In an interview with CBS Sports, Clark opened up about the brutal reality of her rookie year, revealing a moment that screamed (or more like popped) “This is the WNBA.”
Getting Schooled by the Vets
When Clark first stepped onto the WNBA court, she was met with the type of physicality that makes NBA fans wince. Chennedy Carter welcomed her to the league with a hard flagrant foul in her first game, and the hits kept coming. It didn’t stop her from dazzling on the court, though. Clark became the first rookie to record a triple-double on July 6, dropping 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds against the New York Liberty. Just a week later, she set the rookie single-game assist record with 19 dimes against the Dallas Wings.
But when asked about her “defining moment,” Clark didn’t point to any of those jaw-dropping performances. Nope. It was the moment when Jonquel Jones, during a New York Liberty matchup, set a screen so solid that it ruptured Clark’s eardrum.
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh, this is what they mean by WNBA physicality,’” Clark said, laughing off the memory. “I mean, my eardrum was literally gone! But that’s how you learn. It’s a rite of passage.” That moment, more than her countless accolades, summed up her rookie experience—a gritty baptism into the relentless, no-nonsense world of the WNBA.
No Grudges Here
Despite the injury, Clark holds no ill will towards Jones, calling her “a tremendous player.” In fact, Clark took the whole incident in stride. After a brief break due to the Olympics, she returned to the court even more determined, more seasoned, and well… with both eardrums intact. Her numbers by the end of the season? An impressive 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Oh, and don’t think for a second that Clark was some rookie pushover. This wasn’t a “let the vets bully the new kid” situation. Clark picked up six technical fouls over the course of the season, proving she wasn’t afraid to stand her ground. A postseason spat with DeWanna Bonner nearly led to an all-out brawl, solidifying Clark’s status as a force to be reckoned with.
Ready for Round Two
As Clark preps for her second year, it’s safe to say she’s learned the ropes of the WNBA the hard way—and fans can’t wait to see what she does next. Will there be more triple-doubles? Probably. Will there be more bone-crushing screens? Most definitely. But one thing’s for sure: Caitlin Clark’s ready to make more noise—just maybe with a pair of earplugs this time around.
