Caitlin Clark has been making waves in the WNBA with her exceptional skills on the court. The latest milestone in her record-breaking 2024 season came as she led the Indiana Fever to a convincing 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm. Clark’s performance was nothing short of spectacular as she scored 23 points and broke the WNBA single-season rookie assist record.
Breaking down the numbers, Caitlin Clark currently leads the WNBA in assists with an impressive average of 8.3 per game. In Sunday’s game against the Storm, she dished out 9 assists, bringing her total to 232 for the season. This surpasses the previous rookie record of 224 assists set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. Penicheiro, a former player for the Sacramento Monarchs, is known for her creative and exciting passing style, which Clark admires and acknowledges as superior to her own.
Despite being just four years old when Penicheiro entered the WNBA and 10 years old when she retired, Clark has developed a connection with the legendary player. During her college career at Iowa, Clark had the opportunity to interact with Penicheiro, who left a lasting impression on her. Clark’s passing ability has been a standout feature of her game, evident from her record-breaking 1,144 assists in NCAA Division I women’s basketball.
Looking ahead, Clark still has 12 games remaining in the regular season to further add to her assist total. With the expansion of the WNBA season to 40 games, she has a chance to break the overall single-season assist record of 316, set by Alyssa Thomas last year. Clark’s current pace suggests that she could surpass this milestone in the coming games, solidifying her position as a top playmaker in the league.
Reflecting on her unexpected success in leading the league in assists as a rookie, Clark expressed pride in her ability to set up her teammates for success. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and facilitating the success of the team as a whole. With her dynamic playing style and keen eye for finding open teammates, Clark has become a valuable asset for the Indiana Fever, who are aiming to improve on their current standing and make a push for the playoffs.
One of Clark’s teammates, Lexie Hull, praised the balanced attack of the Fever’s offense and highlighted the excitement of playing alongside a dynamic playmaker like Clark. Hull, who had a career-high 22 points in the game against the Storm, emphasized the fluidity and versatility of the team’s offense, crediting Clark for her ability to create opportunities for her teammates.
As the Indiana Fever continue their season with a renewed sense of optimism, Clark’s record-breaking performance serves as a reminder of her exceptional talent and potential to make a lasting impact in the WNBA. With her combination of scoring prowess and playmaking ability, Caitlin Clark is poised to be a driving force for the Fever as they strive for success in the remainder of the season.
