Marco Julian Serrano Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark turned heads on Wednesday by shattering the WNBA’s single game assist record. Clark pulled off an amazing 19 assists in the Fever’s 10193 loss to the Dallas Wings, surpassing Courtney Vandersloot’s previous record of 18 set in 2020.
New Record Set
A little over two minutes before the game’s end, Clark’s record making assist occurred when she set up a three pointer for Kelsey Mitchell, tying the match at 93. While the Fever did ultimately lose, Clark’s performance stood out.
- Clark scored 24 points off of 10for19 shooting.
- She was involved in 66 of the Fever’s points, which is another record.
- With this, Clark joins Candace Parker as the second rookie to score or assist on 50+ points in multiple games.
According to Clark, “I just do my best to help my teammates succeed. Sometimes, I think I might pass too much.”
Feedback from Teammates & Coach
Aliyah Boston, her teammate who scored a career best 28 points, admired Clark’s achievement. Boston said, “Even though she downplays it, I think it’s pretty cool.”
Christie Sides, the Fever coach, applauded Clark’s vision and talent, saying “19 assists is amazing, it truly is.”
Historical High Points
In addition to breaking a single match record previously held by Vandersloot, Clark’s assists and points contributions made her the first rookie and the ninth player ever to rack up over 400 points and 200 assists in one season.
- The 213 assists Clark had this season is the second highest number by a rookie in the league’s history.
- The 66 points she contributed in one game is more than Diana Taurasi’s prior record.
- Clark had three games with 20+ points and 10+ assists, a feat not often achieved by rookies.
Summary of the Game
The Fever had a tough time against the Dallas Wings, eventually losing 10193. Despite Clark having a record breaking performance, the Fever were plagued by turnovers and weaknesses in defence. They lost 28 points to turnovers, with 20 of these points lost in the first half.
“We could score easily the whole night, but our defence was our downfall,” Clark admitted. “If you allow more than 100 points, you’re not winning many matches.”
Future Games
The Fever went into the Olympic break with an 1115 record, currently seventh in the league rankings. Clark, Boston, and Mitchell will play in the 2024 WNBA All Star Game before the season continues. The Fever’s upcoming game is against the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, while the Wings are set to take on the Connecticut Sun.
Targeting their first playoffs return since 2016, Clark’s performance in their last 14 season games will be critical. As Clark put it, “You can’t afford to waste these chances in the final 14 matches of the year.”
Wrap Up
The record breaking performance by Caitlin Clark shines a light on her talent and potential as a valuable asset for the Indiana Fever. Despite the team’s troubles, Clark’s keen eye and knack for assisting her teammates mark her as a key player in the league. The Fever is counting on her success to bolster their playoff chances in the remaining season games.
Featured Src Img – John Mac, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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