Clark makes history in a Matchup With Mercury
By Madie Chandler | FeverBasketball.com
The Indiana Fever’s Friday game against The Phoenix Mercury brought flurries of offense, and along with it, a bit of history for the franchise.
Caitlin Clark as well as Aliyah Boston were the first pair to ever in Fever history to score 20-point double doubles during the same game. However, this was not the only thing that made Clark’s entries in Fever records on Friday. The seven assists she received in the first quarter set a record for the franchise and she now holds the Fever records for assists in one time period (seven) as well as assists within the same games (13).
In her first 24 matches, Clark has tied her own record for assists to a franchise four times.
“It’s so fun, just getting to pick apart the defense,” Clark stated. “Especially when we’re stopped on defense and have to the transition. I’m just excited and, honestly, most of my turnovers are the place they originate from…just striving to be an an exciting basketball during transition.”
Three of Indiana’s All-Stars had double-digit scoring numbers in the opening half of the game, guiding to the Fever by 20 points to take a lead at the half. Kelsey Mitchell led with 17 first-half points. Clark had a close second with 15, while Boston scored 10 in her 10. The players’ synergy on offense was evident in the fact that seven of Clark’s nine initial half dimes fell into either Boston or Mitchell’s.
The All-Star trio won the match with each scoring 20 points Mitchell’s 28 was the top scorer for Indiana while Clark’s 21 and Boston’s 20. Boston was the top scorer in Indiana in rebounding by 13 assists, while Clark’s 13 assists were the most efficient in Fever’s passing.
“I think as a unit we’re starting to play faster,” Clark added. “…We’re making the transition speed faster. This is where we’re seeing many successes. However, I’m thinking of my reassurance of playing with my fellow players as well as playing in this league that I’m still learning every day. day…the higher the amount of experience I’m likely to gain and the more proficient I’m going to become, and the more I’ll become better and learn as I play game after game.”
Clark’s recent run of five consecutive double-doubles stretching back to June 30 – demonstrates her confidence in producing at a professional level. Clark is the holder of the second-longest streak of double-digit point as well as assists (five) and another performance of this level will put her in the same position as Courtney Vandersloot for first in the history of the league.
Clark also holds the record for most double-double games played by an rookie guard in WNBA history, with eight. Clark has become the very first newcomer since Sue Bird in 2002 to achieve at least three double-doubles and she’s got 16 games to play in her first season.
“She just does what she does,” coach Christie Sides said of Clark’s game. “She’s got the ability to draw several defenders, she’s got a crazy eye for her teammates and where they are and moving…That’s just what she’s capable of.”
Clark has a second-place finish in the WNBA in assists per game at 7.8 and is just behind Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas, who dish 7.9 every game. There are only two games left before the season’s Olympic Break, Clark averages 12.5 assists per game in the first month of July. With thirteen assists in the game on Friday Clark is on track to record the most assists per game in one month of WNBA history.
Indiana is currently at 2-3 in July and is looking forward to two remaining opportunities to secure wins prior to the break. The Fever will look to build on Clark’s remarkable rookie season when the season continues this Sunday as the Fever go to Minnesota to face the Lynx and finish the initial phase on the schedule in Dallas on Wednesday.