Caitlin Clark wrote another unforgettable page in WNBA history. The Indiana Fever guard posted 45 points and 10 assists in a 110-107 victory over the Seattle Storm, becoming the first player in league history to record at least 40 points and 10 assists in a single game.
The No. 22 for the Fever finished with an outstanding 11-of-18 shooting from the field, 6-of-10 from three-point range, and 17-of-19 from the free-throw line, while also setting the franchise record for points in a game. It was also her career high in scoring.
"I feel like you just have to believe you're going to have those type of nights," Clark said after the game. "And you have to visualize having those type of nights. I feel like that's what I did."
The game was Clark's fourth since returning from a two-week absence due to a back injury. Defying any concerns about her conditioning, she played all but 26 seconds of the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points in the final period and leading the Fever's comeback from an eight-point deficit.
With the score tied in the final minute, Clark blocked a breakaway layup attempt by Flau'jae Johnson with 54.9 seconds left, then hit the go-ahead three-pointer from the left wing (105-102) and made all four free throws in the final 17 seconds to seal the victory.
Beyond her scoring masterpiece, Clark also became the fastest player to reach 200 career three-pointers in WNBA history, accomplishing the feat in just 74 games and breaking the previous record of 81 games set by Katie Smith.
Kelsey Mitchell added 30 points for Indiana (15-10), while Monique Billings contributed 16. For Seattle (6-21), Dominique Malonga posted 28 points and 14 rebounds.
"She does things that we haven't seen," said head coach Stephanie White. "In the moment, sometimes it's surreal to see. Looking down at the stat sheet at the end of the game and it's like, 'Holy (expletive). Forty-five and 10.' Just an absolutely incredible performance."
Clark's historic night came after a difficult shooting slump — she had made only 3-of-19 from three-point range in her previous three games. Against Seattle, she returned to her best form, proving once again why she is considered the most influential player in the league.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/caitlin-clark-fever-3-pointers-9f3164aa44cf73a525d7ce02846d3eb9
- https://apnews.com/article/storm-fever-score-caitlin-clark-dce68f8a7566b1af7fcc8c5805019d9e
