Caitlin Clark is all smiles after eclipsing Sue Bird’s record in just 22 games (IMAGN)
Caitlin Clark made history against the New York Liberty today (July 6). The Indiana Fever rookie became the first player to put up a triple-double in franchise history with her notable performance in the 83-78 win over the now 17-4 Liberty.
After her historic performance, Clark was all smiles, focusing on the bigger part of the game and thanking the fans for their support. A video shared by the WNBA’s official X account shows a happy Caitlin Clark after the hard-fought game.
“Another one of these,” Caitlin said, while making a “W” gesture with her hands. “Shout out to the fans, though. They were unreal. They got us there through the fourth. Happy for our group.”
Clark finished the game with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Fever to the victory when they looked headed for another loss this season.
Those numbers are already good, but Clark added to the stat sheet when it mattered the most. She assisted Lexie Hull when the Fever took the 79-75 lead that turned the game around. They never lost that advantage and added four more points thanks to Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell’s free throws.
Clark finished the game with a defensive rebound, closing out a hard-fought game that had drama until the end.
To add more to this historic game, Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 350+ points and 150+ assists. She surpassed Sue Bird, who did it in 25 games in 2002. Clark needed 22 matches to reach this mark.
Sue Bird shuts down common narrative about Caitlin Clark, WNBA veterans
Speaking of Sue Bird, the retired player shared her thoughts on a common narrative about Clark, shutting down the notion that WNBA veterans hate on the rookie.
“The way I would frame it, I think where we’re sitting now is, it’s taken a life of its own that I would credit to internet trolls. I feel like Twitter has taken — obviously, I’m assuming we’re talking about Diana [Taurasi] saying that rookies are gonna need to adjust.
“Somehow that got twisted and turned around, and now it’s taken on a life of its own. And there’s this narrative that WNBA players are hating on [Caitlin Clark], and I’m just like, that’s not the case. I just think things have gotten really twisted up,” Bird explained.
Caitlin Clark is already making history with her performances, and the Fever are getting better by the day. Following a blowout loss to the Aces, they bounced back with the best win of the season against the Liberty.
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Edited by Glen Danquah
