Caitlin Clark Says DiJonai Carrington’s Eye-Poke ‘Wasn’t Intentional’

There’s no arduous emotions between Caitlin Clark and DiJonai Carrington, the Indiana Fever star informed reporters on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Clark, 22, clarified that she believes Carrington, 26, didn’t imply to poke her within the eye early within the first quarter of their groups’ WNBA playoff recreation on Sunday, Sept. 22 – a play that left the WNBA Rookie of the 12 months with a black eye and led to followers pointing fingers of their very own afterwards on social media.

“It wasn’t intentional by any means, simply watch the play,” Clark informed reporters, in response to The Indianapolis Star, laughing off the concept that Carrington jabbed her within the eye on goal.

The newspaper reported that Clark’s black eye is “barely noticeable” two days after the incident, which occurred roughly 90 seconds into the sport and left Clark reeling on the ground till a referee blew their whistle to pause the sport one play later.

“It feels good,” Clark smiled, in response to the Star. “It appears to be like okay too.”

Controversy over the play grew as Clark went on to have what she known as a “irritating” efficiency in her first-ever WNBA postseason recreation, taking pictures simply 2-for-13 from three-point vary and 23.5% total from the sector – down from the 41.7% she averaged all through her historic common season. Carrington’s Connecticut Solar cruised to a 93-69 blowout over Clark and the Fever, taking a 1-0 lead within the best-of-three playoff collection.

“I felt like we simply performed a crappy recreation,” Clark mentioned afterwards, in response to USA At present.

Carrington additionally defended herself after the Sept. 22 recreation when she was requested if the attention poke was intentional.

“I do not even know why I might intend to hit anyone within the eye,” the Connecticut Solar participant responded when requested in regards to the play, in response to ESPN. “That does not even make sense to me. However no, I did not. I did not know I hit her, really. I used to be making an attempt to make a play on the ball, and I suppose I adopted by and I hit her. Clearly it is by no means intentional. That is not even the kind of participant that I’m.”

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On social media, some followers complained in regards to the play and shared slowed-down footage of the second, accusing Carrington of making an attempt to injure Clark. Others identified that it was a bang-bang play and that Carrington was within the technique of making an attempt to dam Clark’s three-point try. 

Later within the recreation’s third quarter, Clark unintentionally hit Carrington within the head together with her elbow, knocking the Connecticut Solar participant’s contact out.

Each incidents drew second appears to be like from followers on-line, however Clark and Carrington say they didn’t suppose twice in regards to the bodily play – which comes as each groups are combating to advance within the WNBA playoffs.

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“All of us see it,” Carrington mentioned about followers reacting on social media, in response to the Star. “It’s what it’s. I believe that on the finish of the day, I do know who I’m, and I do know what kind of particular person and participant I’m, and the individuals who know me know that as nicely … It’s what it’s. Individuals are gonna discuss, however like we have been doing all season, we’re gonna maintain speaking on the courtroom.”

The Fever and Solar play Recreation 2 of their collection on Wednesday, Sept. 25 in Connecticut.