The Indiana Fever maintained their momentum with a gritty 84-79 victory over the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on Monday, thanks in large part to rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. Despite an apparent ankle injury, Clark delivered yet another impressive performance, contributing 19 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds—a stat line that has become almost routine for the dynamic guard. As the Fever inch closer to breaking their playoff drought, which dates back to 2016 when Clark was just 14, the 22-year-old rookie continues to turn heads with her exceptional play.
Speculation is mounting over just how many accolades Clark might collect by season’s end. Her ability to seamlessly transition to the demands of WNBA basketball has led many to consider her a frontrunner for multiple honors. With the Fever’s playoff hopes looking brighter, Clark’s contributions have been pivotal in their resurgence.
Dwight Howard Raises an Intriguing Question About Clark
Former NBA star Dwight Howard recently took to X/Twitter to pose a provocative question: Could Caitlin Clark become the second player in WNBA history, after Candace Parker in 2008, to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season? If she achieves this feat, she would join an elite group of only four players across both the NBA and WNBA to accomplish such a remarkable double.
Will Caitlin Clark be the first player to win ROTY & MVP since Candace Parker 👀
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 27, 2024
Howard’s speculation is supported by Clark’s dominance in several key offensive categories. With Cameron Brink sidelined due to injury and Angel Reese showcasing elite defensive skills but a slower-developing offensive game, Clark has emerged as the top rookie, leading in numerous statistical measures. She ranks 10th in scoring across the league and leads all players with 8.2 assists per game—a mark that would place her fifth all-time for a single-season average in WNBA history.
Caitlin Clark among WNBA rookies this season:
1st in PPG
1st in APG
1st in SPG
1st in TS%
1st in FGM
1st in 3PM
3rd in BPG
3rd in RPG
3rd in Wins pic.twitter.com/7FmaFGRThp— StatMamba (@StatMamba) August 27, 2024
While discussions of an MVP award for Clark may be premature, given the Fever’s current 14-16 record, her trajectory suggests that she could be a serious contender in the near future. As for Rookie of the Year, Clark appears to have that honor firmly within her grasp. Her standout performances have not only fueled Indiana’s playoff push but also positioned her as one of the most exciting young talents in the league, with a bright future that could very well include an MVP trophy.
