As the Olympic flame begins to dwindle, the real fireworks are about to start—cue the WNBA, where the Indiana Fever’s golden child, Caitlin Clark, is back and ready to remind everyone why she was the first draft pick. But wait, did someone say Clark has been off her game? Someone cue the dramatic music.
Clark, the Fever’s not-so-secret weapon, has been having what some might call a “slump.” Others might call it the universe just playing a prank on the rest of the league. Before the break, she hit a less-than-stellar 26.2% of her three-pointers over seven games. For Clark, that’s like a cat missing a leap onto the couch—unheard of. But fear not, Fever fans. Coach Christie Sides says, “Caitlin Clark’s shots have been falling again.” Translation: The league is about to get schooled.
Let’s talk numbers, shall we? Clark has been logging 35.2 minutes per game (because, apparently, she doesn’t get tired), scoring 17.1 points (casually), dishing out 8.2 assists (league-leading, natch), and grabbing 5.8 rebounds (because why not?). Oh, and she’s also been generous enough to lead the league in turnovers at 5.6 per game—because sharing is caring, right?
But don’t be fooled by that turnover stat; Clark’s a magician with the ball, pulling off feats like the first rookie triple-double in WNBA history. And if that’s not enough, she dropped 19 dimes in a single game, leaving defenders wondering if they were in the right sport.
For those keeping score at home, Clark is also sixth in free-throw percentage, shooting at a cool .891%, proving that even when she’s fouled, she’s still making you pay. Sure, her three-point percentage is at .327%, but let’s be honest, those were just practice shots. The real fun begins now.
As the Fever prepare to face off against the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, the entire league should be on high alert. Clark is 22 years old, but she plays like she’s been here before—maybe in a past life where she was also a basketball prodigy.
So, here’s a heads-up to the rest of the WNBA: The Fever’s about to turn up the heat, and Caitlin Clark is bringing the fire. Get ready for a second half of the season where the only thing more unpredictable than her shot selection will be how the rest of the league tries—and fails—to keep up.