Caitlin Clark had herself a night on Friday, once again etching her name into WNBA history with the flair of a seasoned record-breaker and the casual grace of someone tying their shoes.
The Indiana Fever rookie dazzled the court with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, adding a generous 13 assists and six rebounds in a thrilling 95-86 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Seven of those assists happened in the first quarter alone, tying a Fever franchise record and leaving everyone wondering if she’s part magician.
From the tip-off, Clark was orchestrating the Fever’s offense like a maestro with a basketball baton. She didn’t just fill the stat sheet; she stuffed it like a Thanksgiving turkey. Only two other rookies in WNBA history have accomplished what Clark did—herself and the legendary Angel McCoughtry. Both had posted at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game, but Clark decided to one-up everyone by doing it twice. Back-to-back. Take a bow, Caitlin.
Her previous game saw her drop 29 points and 13 assists against the Washington Mystics. Talk about consistency. It’s like Clark’s personal mission to make the other rookies look like they’re playing hopscotch while she’s playing chess.
Not that the game was all smooth sailing. The Fever once had a cushy 31-point lead, which dwindled to a mere four points with about three minutes left. Clark’s furious plays were almost as dramatic as the final season of “Game of Thrones.” Indiana managed to hold on, but let’s just say there were more nail-biting moments than in a suspense thriller.
Oh, and if inanimate objects could talk, Clark’s chair would have tales of frustration and triumph to tell.
Teammates Kelsey Mitchell, who put up 28 points, and Aliyah Boston, with 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks, rounded out a stellar team performance. Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper wasn’t too shabby either, leading all scorers with a whopping 36 points.
Caitlin Clark’s Rookie of the Year Case is a Done Deal
At this point, it’s almost expected that Clark will shatter some kind of record whenever she laces up her sneakers. In this game alone, she became the first WNBA rookie to hit the trifecta of 400 points, 150 assists, and 100 rebounds in a season. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she’s also the first WNBA player to post 25+ points, 10+ assists, five rebounds, five steals, and five 3-pointers in a single game. Not rookie—player. It’s like she’s collecting records like they’re Pokémon cards.
Last Saturday, she recorded the first triple-double ever seen from a WNBA rookie. On June 23, she set a Fever franchise record with 13 assists in a single game. Then she tied that record for three games in a row, because why not?
If Clark maintains her blistering pace of 11.7 assists per game over her last six games, she’ll obliterate the WNBA rookie record of 7.5 assists per game. Someone get the archives ready.
But let’s not hand over the Rookie of the Year trophy just yet. Clark’s main rival, Angel Reese, is on a tear of her own, snagging the WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles at 15 and counting. Candace Parker’s previous mark of 12 is now a distant memory. Clark’s own double-double streak stands at five, achieved mostly through assists, because who needs rebounds when you can dish out dimes like candy?
In short, Caitlin Clark is making a compelling case for Rookie of the Year, and she’s doing it with a smile, a wink, and a whole lot of swagger. The race isn’t over, but one thing’s for sure: watching these rookies redefine greatness is a treat for every basketball fan.
