CNN
—
Caitlin Clark added another milestone to her historic rookie campaign, breaking the WNBA single-season assist record in the Indiana Fever’s 78-74 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday night at Cainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark needed four assists to match the previous record of 316 set by Connecticut Sun guard Alyssa Thomas in 2023. Set a new identity In the second quarter, teammate Kelsey Mitchell drove into the paint on an inbounds pass and knocked in a bucket.
Clark finished the game with 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Mitchell led Indiana with 20 points in the loss.
The feat adds to the 2024 No. 1 pick’s historic season, which included setting the WNBA’s single-game assist record with 19 in July against the Dallas Wings and setting the rookie assists record last month. Clark became the first rookie to record a triple-double and has the most three-pointers by a rookie in league history.
Indiana trailed 43-35 at halftime before Clark caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 14 points to bring the Fever within three points. The Aces went on a 9-2 run to extend their lead early in the fourth quarter after Damiris Dantas made a three-pointer to tie the game at 60-60.
The Fever had a chance to tie the game with 20 seconds left in the game, however Fever star Aaliyah Boston missed a three-point attempt. Aces guard Chelsea Gray made a pair of free throws on subsequent possessions to put the game out of reach.
Aces star A’Jay Wilson, fresh off setting the WNBA’s single-season scoring record on Wednesday, finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds in the win, while Gray added 21 points and six assists.
After the game, Clark was asked about his record-setting night and milestones for Wilson and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.
“It definitely speaks to the whole year and how historic it is for this league and how great basketball has been for the league,” Clark said.
“You know we’re not even in the playoffs yet, I think it’s really funny, you’re going to continue to see records being taken down, but I think it’s really good basketball, that’s why it’s been so fun to watch, that’s why the fans are coming, the viewership has been absolutely crushed this year,” He added that.
“I think everybody is raising their game, the competition is getting better and better, and it’s fun as a competitor to show up every night in this league and you’ve got to bring your best because you know who the other person is. From your side of the court, they’re going to bring their best. , that’s fun,” Clark said. “It’s been fun to see everyone step up and step up, and it’s been fun for me to be a part of that.”
Although the Fever fell to the Aces for the second straight game, they remain sixth in the standings and have already secured a spot in the playoffs. Indiana faces Dallas on Sunday before closing out the regular season against the Washington Mystics on Sept. 19.
