Caitlin Clark: Snubbed, Rested and Record-breaking
Caitlin Clark is already proving that her Olympic snub may have been a blessing in disguise. Since returning to the WNBA after the Olympic break, Clark has been on a mission, using the disappointment of being left off the Team USA roster as fuel for her game. She confided in her coach that being overlooked “woke a monster,” and her recent performances have shown just that.
In her second game back on August 18th, Clark put up a stellar 23 points and nine assists, propelling the Indiana Fever to a commanding 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm. This game was a milestone in more ways than one—Clark not only demonstrated her scoring prowess but also her exceptional playmaking skills. She shattered the WNBA rookie record for most assists in a season, surpassing the long-standing record set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. The assist that broke the record was quintessential Clark: a perfectly timed pass to Lexie Hull, who converted it with ease.
In that same game, Clark also surpassed Tamika Catchings’ franchise record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie, hitting her 77th of the season.
Just two days earlier, in a highly anticipated game against the Phoenix Mercury on August 16th, Clark delivered a dominant performance with 29 points and 10 assists, leading the Fever to a 98-89 win in front of an audience of 1.22 million viewers.
Clark’s impact on the Fever has been undeniable all season. As a rookie, she’s averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, making her a critical piece in Indiana’s turnaround. After a rough start, where the team lost six of their first seven games, the Fever have found their rhythm, now boasting a 13-15 record. Clark’s leadership and stellar on-court performance have been central to this resurgence, showing that sometimes, setbacks can be the catalyst for greatness.
