Like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark watched the Olympics on her TV, and the Fever prodigy took the opportunity to recharge her batteries. The Mercury of Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi could see it as Clark had one of her best games of the season with 29 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in the Fever's victory (98-89). The leading scorer in NCAA history becomes the first rookie in history to record multiple games with at least 25 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds.
After a complete miss at the start of the season (1v-8d), the Fever has bounced back well with a record now of 12 wins for 15 losses. Seventh in the WNBA, the Indianapolis franchise is well on its way to returning to the playoffs after an eight-year absence. Clark's teammates have 13 games left to keep this place, with one more win than the 8th (Chicago), and three over Atlanta.
The automatisms and the confidence are there
“I've always been able to understand the game well and anticipate things,” Clark explains of his 29 assists in two games, and his lightning adaptation. “But I think I had to develop automatisms with my teammates, so that they could see it and be on the same wavelength. This cohesion is not highlighted.”
Alongside her, Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points and their duo combined for 10 3-pointers to sweep the Mercury. Two assists shy of the rookie assists record in a season, held by Ticha Penicheiro since 1998, Clark led all her teammates in her wake.
“It’s such a young team… and as the season goes on, the girls start to understand each other,” analyzes Christie Sides, the Fever coach. “These girls just had to get to know each other and trust each other.”
