Indiana Fever Need to Convert Caitlin Clark Passes Into Assists

Robin Lundberg | Jun 24, 2024

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark set an Indiana Fever franchise record with 13 assists in the team's loss to the Chicago Sky. However, she could have threatened the mark for the WNBA as whole set by Courtney Vandersloot, who had 18 for the Sky, appropriately enough in a game against the Fever back in 2020. That is if her teammates converted some of her absurd dishes into assists.

Caitlin Clark with 7 ast at half. Crazy to think how many she'd have if her teammates could finish. These are just from the last few mins: pic.twitter.com/jHa9umEOkd

— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) June 23, 2024

Clark had at least four possible assists not finished, just at the end of the first half alone. That's not to say she is without flaw and the rest of the Fever need to be perfect, but there were definitely points left off the board by Indiana.

Caitlin Clark’s teammates can’t catch this is why she leads the WNBA in turnovers 💀 pic.twitter.com/8S656dzk9d

— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 23, 2024

For all the comparisons to Steph Curry, in many ways Clark is more Steve Nash, pushing the ball up the floor and keeping her dribble alive in the lane. She and Aliyah Boston have formed a spectacular pick and roll connection as a result, with Aliyah playing the role once occupied by Amare Stoudemire. Once the rest of the roster figures out how to play off CC, the Fever could hit another gear.

Caitlin Clark set the franchise record for most assists in a single game (13) with this dime to Aliyah Boston 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kdSlMqwZ03

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 23, 2024

While it is true Caitlin will need to learn to pick her spots when it comes to looking for her own shot versus trusting her teammates, the team needs to make the most of the star rookie's playmaking ability. The looming return of Temi Fagbenle should help in that department. Fagbenle has been out for several weeks with a foot injury, but prior to going down she and Clark had established a strong rapport. In large part due to Temi's talent for running the floor and catching the ball in transition.

Temi Fagbenle on the full-court pass connection with Caitlin Clark: “I’ve only had a few of those kind of point guards, who just know, sees the play before it’s happened… regular point guards I’m like they didn’t see it… but Caitlin saw that!”

Full clip: pic.twitter.com/9KEYxlNlIT

— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) May 27, 2024

Fagbenle had previously credited Clark for seeing plays before they happen, the team as whole now needs to make those plays happen in order to assist Caitlin.