Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images
Caitlin Clark set a franchise rookie record for assists in a single season as the Indiana Fever defeated Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury 88-82 Sunday afternoon in Arizona.
Clark came one rebound shy of a triple-double while contributing 15 points and 12 assists in the Fever’s first win over a team above .500.
Indiana Fever @IndianaFever
another record for the resume 🤩
congratulations to Caitlin Clark for breaking the rookie franchise record for assists in a single season in just 20 games 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/MDSaYAyHgT
StatMamba @StatMamba
Caitlin Clark now has 2 double-doubles this season with points & assists.
The only rookie in WNBA history to have more was Sue Bird in 2002. pic.twitter.com/hDssdrooqY
The achievement came the game after Clark continued her development as a playmaker by becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to rack up 300 points, 100 rebounds and 100 career assists.
Clark hit the milestone in just her 19th WNBA contest.
Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 @big_business_
Indiana Fever is hooping
lets have a dialogue on Caitlin Clark’s playmaking
this is special
A.M. Michaels @A_M__Michaels
Caitlin Clark putting on a CLINIC with her passing and court vision! @IndianaFever #CaitlinClark #WNBA
Benjamin Garcia @BenGarciaShow
Caitlin Clark might be able to play in the NBA, forget the scoring, the basketball IQ is off the charts.
The day before the game Clark called the opportunity to play against Taurasi a “dream come true.”
“That’s somebody I grew up idolizing and looking up to and wanting to be like one day,” Clark said. “Obviously she’s one of the greatest players our game has ever seen, greatest scorer our game has ever seen… You get to live out your dream while playing against the best, one of the best there ever has been.”
The three-time WNBA champion then greeted Clark prior to the game:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Diana Taurasi & Brittney Griner dap up Caitlin Clark pre-game 🤝
Welcoming the rook to the league 💯
Clark wasn’t the only person excited to see the matchup between the Rookie of the Year candidate and former MVP.
DBo_Burner @Dbo_Burner
Caitlin Clark is boutta drop a triple double against Diana Taurasi’s team? I used to pray for times like this.
Taurasi made five of 14 shots for 19 points in the loss. Clark finished the game with 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting from the field while going 5-for-6 from the foul line and adding a pair of highlight-reel three-pointers:
Joe Pompliano @JoePompliano
Caitlin Clark has now made 7 three-pointers from 30+ feet this season while no one else in the WNBA has made more than two.pic.twitter.com/krIo2HunZU
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
CAITLIN CLARK FROM THE LOGO 😱 🎯
The Fever won after going on a 17-point run late in the third quarter thanks in part to five assists by Clark.
DamonG @DamonG89403665
That 3rd quarter is a prime example of why turnovers simply don’t matter when it comes to Caitlin Clark.
Look at the pace she plays with and how she gets her teammates so many easy looks.
Kesley Mitchell put up clutch points in the fourth quarter before Clark scored on two late free throws to help seal the win.
St. Francis of Kumasi. @100PercentAfrik
Clutch free throws by CC #INDvsPHX
Fever coach Christie Sides said after the game that Clark wasn’t feeling well throughout the game, as she was dealing with a migraine.
Chloe Peterson @chloepeterson67
Clark has a migraine, per the team.
Clark has suffered with migraines throughout her whole college career, nearly always playing through them https://t.co/2K3w8AeDj1
Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 17 points. Mitchell contributed 16 points, while Temi Fagbenle added 10 off the bench.
Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 24 points in the loss.
The Fever improve to 8-12 with the victory. Indiana will face another tough opponent Tuesday when Clark and Boston take on A’ja Wilson and the reigning champion Aces in Las Vegas.