Basketball Legend Isiah Thomas Backs Caitlin Clark’s Winning Mentality in Rookie Race Drama
When a two-time NBA champion like Isiah Thomas chimes in on the WNBA Rookie of the Year race, you know the stakes are high, and the spotlight is bright. The Indiana Fever’s rising star, Caitlin Clark, received a virtual high-five from none other than Thomas himself, who was clearly impressed with her laser focus—not on personal accolades, but on the one thing that truly matters: winning.
Now, let’s face it—when you’re a rookie sensation like Clark, leading your team out of the doldrums of a 1-8 start, it’s easy to get caught up in the Rookie of the Year buzz. But not Caitlin Clark. Oh no, she’s all about that team grind. Isiah Thomas, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a champion, recognized this and couldn’t resist giving her a shoutout on X (formerly Twitter), for all of us to see.
In his tweet, Thomas gave props to both Clark and her rookie rival, Angel Reese, for keeping their eyes on the prize—making their teams better and, more importantly, winning. It’s almost like Thomas is saying, “Forget the individual awards, it’s team Ws that matter!” His tweet read, “Let it be known: Caitlin Clarke, Angel Reese, play to WIN!”
Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Year: Outscoring Critics and Breaking Records
Now, in case you missed it, Clark and Reese faced off on Friday in what could only be described as a rookie rumble, with Clark leading her Fever to a thumping 100-81 victory over Reese’s squad. Clark was in MVP mode, dropping a career-high 31 points, dishing out 12 assists like Oprah giving away cars, and snagging four rebounds just for good measure. Reese, doing her best to keep up, managed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, but let’s be honest—this night was all about Clark.
With that win, the Fever are now sitting pretty at 16-16. That’s right, folks, after starting the season looking like they’d be lucky to win the lottery, they’re now in the thick of the playoff hunt. Thanks to Clark, who’s putting up video game numbers—18.4 points, 8.3 assists (she’s practically handing out dimes for fun), 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game—the Fever have gone from the basement to a respectable sixth in the standings.
Isiah Thomas Knows Winners When He Sees Them
Isiah Thomas didn’t become a Hall-of-Famer by accident. The man knows a winner when he sees one, and in Caitlin Clark, he sees a rookie who’s all about elevating her team. Thomas’s endorsement is more than just a pat on the back—it’s a stamp of approval from one of the best to ever do it. It’s like getting a thumbs-up from Michael Jordan, only with less gambling.
For her part, Clark is keeping her head down and grinding away. Speaking to the media on Saturday, she downplayed the Rookie of the Year race, focusing instead on being a good teammate and helping her squad get those all-important Ws. Clark’s humility is refreshing in a world where individual stats can overshadow team success, but don’t let that fool you—this rookie is a stone-cold competitor.
As the Fever continue their push for the playoffs, you can bet that Clark will keep doing what she does best—playing to win. With a little help from her All-Star teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, the Fever might just break their playoff drought this year. And when they do, you can bet Isiah Thomas will be somewhere, smiling and nodding in approval.
So, here’s to Caitlin Clark—rookie, baller, and now, Isiah Thomas-approved team player. Keep those Ws coming, Caitlin, and let the Rookie of the Year chips fall where they may. After all, as Thomas so wisely put it: “Play to WIN!”