Fever's Clark, Sun's Carrington comment on Game 1 eye poke incident

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a foul in the first quarter during game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Fever's Caitlin Clark, Sun's DiJonai Carrington comment on Game 1 eye poke incident

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Sep 24, 2024 4:42 PM ET

Both Caitlin Clark and DiJonai Carrington addressed the eye poke from Sunday’s WNBA first-round playoff game between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun.

The Sun won the game 93-69, but an eye poke from Carrington on Clark in the first quarter drew attention. Many fans thought the poke from Carrington was intentional, while others disagreed.

Both players were asked Tuesday about the play and gave their thoughts.

“It wasn’t intentional by any means. You just watched the play, it wasn’t intentional,” Clark said from a Fever practice, dismissing the issue.

Asked Caitlin Clark on what she’d say to the crowd that thinks the Carrington hit to her eye was on purpose: “It wasn’t intentional by any means. You just watched the play, it wasn’t intentional.” pic.twitter.com/HiMNiibpy5

— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) September 24, 2024

Carrington also completely denied having any nefarious intentions.

“I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anyone in the eye. That doesn’t even make sense to me. I didn’t know I hit her, actually. I was trying to make a play on the ball, and I guess I followed through and I hit her. Obviously it’s not intentional. That’s not even the type of player I am,” Carrington said.

I asked DiJonai Carrington about that moment early in Sunday’s Indiana-Connecticut game when she caught Caitlin Clark in the eye. Here’s her answer: pic.twitter.com/DnQVYi0r6J

— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) September 24, 2024