Connecticut Sun’s DeWanna Bonner was pushed by Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark during a WNBA playoff game, and the two later exchanged words during a free throw.

But when the game ended, the 15-year Auburn veteran advanced to the postseason, and the rookie season came to an end as the Sun cruised to an 87-81 victory Wednesday night to win the best-of-seven series and advance to the semifinals.

Apparently upset that Bonner wasn’t called for a foul in the first quarter, Clark shoved the veteran on the other end of the court. The lack of a whistle and the shove sparked reactions on social media from the rookie’s fans.

Clark’s popularity, which stemmed from her college career at Iowa, helped raise the WNBA’s television ratings to their highest level in 24 years and set league attendance records.

However, the 2024 WNBA season will end without Clark, who led the league in assists and ranked fifth in points after joining the Fever as the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.

On Wednesday night, sixth-ranked Indiana rallied from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to hold a 75-73 lead when Bonner scored the tying basket with 2:25 left. After the Fever regained a two-point advantage, Bonner hit a 25-foot 3-pointer with 1:50 left and third-ranked Connecticut held the lead the rest of the way.

Scoring nine points in the fourth quarter, Bonner recorded 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals in the game.

Clark on Wednesday night scored 25 points, had nine assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block.

Bonner, a McDonald’s All-American at Fairfield High School, played at Auburn from the 2005-06 season through the 2008-09 campaign. She remains the Tigers’ career scoring leader and was named the SEC Player of the Year as a senior.

In the 2024 regular season, Bonner played in her sixth WNBA All-Star Game. She averaged 15.0 points per game, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.