Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark continues to add records during her rookie WNBA season.
On Wednesday, Clark set a rookie record for 3-pointers, passing Rhyne Howard’s 85 in 2022. Clark added two more 3-pointers before finishing 3 of 12 against the visiting Connecticut Sun, giving her 88 on the season.
Clark finished the game scoring 19 points, five rebounds and five assists in helping the Fever to a 84-80 victory over the Sun and snapping an 11-game losing streak in the series.
The record is only the latest of Clark’s accomplishments. She’s also set the single-season rookie mark for assists, the single-game record for assists, and recorded the first triple-double in Fever history, another first for a rookie in the WNBA.
“I think the best part about it is that our chemistry continues to get better,” said Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell said during a post-game interview with NBATV. “I value what Caitlin brings to the table because not only does she have the pace and the space, but she can shoot the lights out and you just got to be ready when your number’s called with a person like that.”
Mitchell added 23 points in the game.
It was Indiana’s first win against Connecticut since July 3, 2021. The Fever (15-16) have won four of five since returning from the WNBA’s Olympic break while the Sun saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
For Mitchell, it was her fifth consecutive game with 20-plus points, a franchise record. Her connection with Clark continues to grow.
With Indiana leading 82-80, Clark had a long 3-pointer rattle out and Connecticut called a timeout with 38.6 seconds left. Marina Mabrey worked the clock down before passing it to Alyssa Thomas, who had it stolen by Indiana’s Temi Fagbenle with 24.1 remaining.
Lexie Hull, a 76 per cent free-throw shooter, made two free throws with 19.4 seconds left to give Indiana a four-point lead. DiJonai Carrington was short on a 3-point attempt and Clark grabbed the rebound before running out the clock.
Hull, in her second start of the season, had 17 points and eight rebounds for Indiana. The Fever went 13 of 30 from distance, with four 3-pointers apiece from Hull and Mitchell.
Carrington scored 19 points, Thomas had 17 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Mabrey added 16 points off the bench for Connecticut (22-8). DeWanna Bonner had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Indiana led 51-42 at halftime behind three double-digit scorers. Mitchell scored 13 points, and Hull and Clark each had 10. The Fever shot 55 per cent in the first half as the teams combined for 21 turnovers.
American gymnast Simone Biles, fresh off winning three more Olympic gold medals in Paris, was in attendance. Gabby Thomas, who won three gold medals in track, also posed for photos with players in the Fever locker room after the game.
Source Agencies
