Caitlin Clark has set a new franchise record in the Indiana Fever’s home win over the Phoenix Mercury, as she also became the first rookie in WNBA history to record 400 points, 150 assists and 100 rebounds.
The 22-year-old point guard put up 20 points and 13 assists, nine of which came in the first quarter alone, to break the Fever’s record for most assists (seven) in a single quarter on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Clark now ranks second in the WNBA’s leading assists chart behind Alyssa Thomas this season behind Alyssa Thomas. Guard Kelsey Mitchell and center Aliyah Boston also contributed to the team’s 96-85 win with 28 and 21 points, respectively.
Indiana’s upset over Phoenix may come as a surprise to many, considering that the Mercury have three players heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics — guards Diana Taurasi and Kahleah Copper, along with center Brittney Griner.
Clark was handed an Olympics lifeline, Thursday, when it was revealed that Taurasi, 40, is struggling to recover from a leg injury in time for the Games, leaving the door open for the No. 1 overall draft pick to receive a shock late call-up to Team USA’s women’s basketball roster.
Caitlin Clark broke the franchise record for most assists (7) in a single quarter in the first quarter 🔥
she had 9 assists in the first half 👀 pic.twitter.com/1HPVBgEz8d
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 13, 2024
Caitlin Clark is the first rookie in WNBA history to record 400 PTS • 100 REB • 150 AST. pic.twitter.com/iTLDlpvCfU
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) July 13, 2024
The Fever went wire to wire over the visiting Mercury in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game after leading by 20 points at halftime.
Mitchell’s midrange jumper and Smith’s three-point play extended the lead to 65-40 with 7:12 left in the third quarter.
Mitchell’s midrange jumper and forward NaLyssa Smith’s three-point play extended the lead to 65-40 with 7:12 left in the third quarter
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham’s 3-pointer cut Phoenix’s deficit to 22, but the Fever went on an 11-3 burst, capped by Boston’s putback with 3:01 left in the third. Mitchell drained a 3-pointer to give Indiana an 81-50 lead, but Phoenix finished the third on an 8-0 run.
Clark now ranks second in the WNBA’s leading assists chart behind Alyssa Thomas this season
The Mercury continued their run into the fourth, scoring the first nine points to cut their deficit to 81-67 on Cunningham’s deep 3-pointer with 7:27 left.
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Another Cunningham trey cut Indiana’s lead to 85-74 at the 5:31 mark, before Mercury guard Kahleah Copper’s pullup jumper trimmed the deficit to single digits for the first time since midway through the second quarter.
Copper, who had 36 points on 11 of 25 shooting, made two free throws and a reverse layup to pull within 85-81 with 3:12 remaining, before Smith’s much needed hook shot gave Indiana a six-point lead.
Boston hit a jumper with about two minutes to play, and Mitchell drained a triple with 1:33 left for some breathing room at 92-83.
