Fever Rookie Caitlin Clark Makes WNBA and NBA History
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark continues to put up numbers the WNBA has never seen before. But she also had a stat line that has never been registered in the NBA either during the team's loss to the Washington Mystics. Clark became the first player in recorded NBA and WNBA history to tally 29 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 3-pointers made, 5 steals and 3 blocks in a game.
Caitlin Clark is forging a path of her own 🤯
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 10, 2024
In today's game vs. the Mystics, Caitlin Clark becomes the 1st player in the NBA and WNBA to record 29 PTS, 13 AST, 5 REB, 5 3PM, 5 STL and 3 BLK in a game!#WelcomeToTheW pic.twitter.com/PT5fyrBxTs
The points and assists were no surprise given Caitlin leads the entire W in points generated on either her own scoring or dishes to teammates. And Clark's rebounding has also made a difference for the Fever this season and helped her to become the first-ever rookie to secure a triple-double. She has also registered four straight double-doubles with points and assists.
CAITLIN CLARK BEHIND THE BACK TO NALYSSA SMITH
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) July 10, 2024
15 minutes left and the rookie has already notched another double double#WNBA pic.twitter.com/akJeetpGIH
But Clark's defensive stats may catch some basketball fans off guard given CC is the fastest guard ever to block 20 shots in the W. She currently sits top 20 in the entire league in every single statistical category mentioned above. Though some may not have expected to see her have more blocks than the likes of fellow rookie Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and more steals than defensive stalwart Betnijah Laney-Hamilton of the New York Liberty.
Caitlin Clark is the fastest guard in WNBA history to record 20 blocks. pic.twitter.com/kYsqRzDx1Z
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) July 10, 2024
Clark's shooting efficiency was also noteworthy in the furious Fever comeback attempt. Caitlin had a 77% True Shooting Percentage, which is a number combining regular field goals with threes and free throws. She drained five 3-pointers in the contest. All in all she did it all, despite the loss.
Here we are again. ✨
— Jess (@FeverBandwagon) July 10, 2024
Just over here leading the league in assists and threes. pic.twitter.com/nTtg9kVvW3
Though it feels extraordinary is starting to become routine when it comes to what Caitlin Clark is able to do on the basketball court, with the record-breaking performances translating from college at Iowa to her stellar rookie season in the WNBA.
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!