Fans Loved Caitlin Clark’s Classy Move In Final Seconds of Fever’s Win Over Mercury

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Caitlin Clark's first game back from the WNBA's Olympic break was a big one, as she put up 29 points and 10 assists in the Fever's 98-89 victory over Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury on Friday.
Clark's 29 points fell just one short of her career high. The No. 1 pick in last April's WNBA draft actually had a chance to break that in the final seconds but instead of trying to get off a shot, she casually let the shot clock run out and handed the ball to the referee, and took the turnover since the game was basically over.
Here's how that played out:
Caitlin Clark 1 point away from a 30 and 10 game decides to not stat pad and take the 24 second violation pic.twitter.com/GnGseme4ZS
— Magic Bronson (@MagicsBurner) August 17, 2024
Fans loved that move from Clark, as she easily could have attempted to launch a shot and try to top her career high.
This is why I so respect Caitlin Clark shes classy. #FeverRising https://t.co/v4Zp3aKJEe
— James Scott #TeamOrca (@LongerTables) August 17, 2024
Very demure. Very mindful. https://t.co/mP8BdXFPgR
— N I K K Y ♡ (@Ayo_Nikky) August 17, 2024
And that’s how it should be done.
— Jeremy Pond (@JeremyPond) August 17, 2024
Class from the WNBA rookie of the year and probable first-team selection. 👏🏻 https://t.co/SPoUdSWytH
notice how she took a turnover instead of trying to break her career high as the game was winding down? very demure, very mindful, very considerate https://t.co/XGpAWAsQD2
— kb (@snackieshauna) August 17, 2024
Bookmark this for if you *ever* hear anyone mention stat padding again in reference to Caitlin Clark.
— Jess (@FeverBandwagon) August 17, 2024
1 point away from her career high.
2 points from 100.
This is her. pic.twitter.com/a7K65tvgZq

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.
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