Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark put up a valiant fight but couldn’t steer her team to victory in a nail-biting 87-81 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, drawing the curtain on her 2024 WNBA season.

ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco hinted that the rookie might be due for some well-deserved downtime from basketball after a gruelling season.

In her second play-off outing, Clark shone with a 25-point haul on an efficient 10/23 shooting, playing the full 40 minutes and contributing eight assists and six rebounds to her team’s efforts.

As the match against the Sun wound down, Ruocco disclosed that Clark has ruled out playing offseason basketball, meaning she won’t join Angel Reese in the new Unrivaled League starting in January or participate in any other leagues.

Selected first overall by the Fever on April 16, just nine days after propelling the University of Iowa to the NCAA title game with a standout tournament run, Clark was reticent about her offseason intentions post-game on Wednesday. However, she hinted at a shift away from the court.

“I was focused on beating the Connecticut Sun, I haven’t thought too far down the line,” Clark commented. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do tomorrow. I’m gonna play some golf. That’s what I’m gonna do until it becomes too cold in Indiana. I’ll become a professional golfer.”

Standout rookie Reese has committed to the innovative Unrivaled league, a women’s 3v3 basketball competition set to launch this January in Miami, founded by athletes Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The new league is offering six-figure salaries and attracting top talent with just two spots remaining.

Current UConn sensation Paige Bueckers is amongst those who’ve signed, as eyes now turn to Clark for a potential commitment.

Reese enthused about joining the league: “Who wouldn’t want to play with two great players like that? ” and expressed her excitement at not having to play overseas: “And I knew they were gonna bring on a couple more dogs. Nobody wants to go overseas. A lot of us never want to have to go overseas.”

Commenting on the lucrative aspect and quality of the league, she added: “Being able to make – what? – six figures. Being able to make six figures here within three months…just being able to get better…three-on-three exposes everything. So, I’m excited for it.